Weak economy hits Paris bid to cut deficit

France abandoned on the 26 September 2008 a promise to wipe out its public deficit by 2012, as the global financial crisis sapped growth, hit the job market and forced the government to unveil a gloomy annual budget for 2009.

ESO: Background information: Sarkozy risks anger on budget http://www.europeansources.info/record/sarkozy-risks-anger-on-budget/

France24, 26.9.08: Pledge to balance budget by 2012 abandoned http://www.france24.com/en/20080926-france-miss-2012-deadline-close-public-deficit-france&navi=FRANCE

BBC News, 26.9.08: French hold out against credit crunch http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7635327.stm

France: Ministry for the Budget, the Public Accounts and Civil Service: Press Pack for the 2009 Budget (in French) http://www.budget.gouv.fr/presse/dossiers_de_presse/plf2009/plf2009_som.php

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