Many are relieved to see extremes neutralised, but political gridlock and rise of the left sparks concern
Stasis, squabbling and posturing mean results may be more a surprise in style than substance
Electoral upheaval and flagging growth are putting spotlight on debt vulnerability
Turnout and the degree of fragmentation in first-round voting add to the uncertainty
Political powers in France and UK need to demonstrate competence that keeps markets on side
‘The question we get asked most frequently is if money is safe in France’
Against the historical odds, the UK capital’s games were a marked economic success
The election is the culmination of a gloomy picture that has been 50 years in the making
An ambitious supply-side agenda has defined economic perceptions of his presidency. So have shocks
Decline in purchasing managers’ index in France helps drive sharp slowdown in Eurozone
Both political forces have lavish spending plans that are spooking investors
Also in this newsletter: Russia is earning billions through LNG transshipments in Europe
EU officials fear bigger battle with Paris on budget rules if far right or left take power after election
Corporate leaders are more alarmed by leftwing alliance’s radical tax agenda than unfunded promises of far-right RN
Both the far right and leftwing are touting populist and uncosted policies
Philip Lane says sell-off of country’s debt does not meet criteria to invoke central bank’s emergency powers
RN’s economic programme could be twice as costly as tax cuts by former UK premier Liz Truss
Sell-off in French government debt has pushed borrowing costs for some maturities above those of Portugal
Private equity firm invests €1bn in start-up set to challenge SNCF on intercity routes
S&P warns debt ratios will only worsen in coming years and put Paris’s 2027 target for controlling deficit out of reach
The president’s centrist alliance faces a drubbing in EU elections amid growing pressure on government finances
Arnaud Lagardère’s exit comes as Bernard Arnault and Vincent Bolloré prepare their own successions
GDP expansion in largest economies comes as bloc’s headline inflation remains at 2.4% but core rate keeps falling
Paris wants sensitive parts of indebted tech company to remain in national hands
President has a good record on rebooting economy but has failed to shrink the budget deficit
International Edition
