In a recent op-ed, Agnès Verdier-Molinié, the director of iFrap, criticized the French government's financial projections, asserting that they significantly overestimate public revenues for 2026. She argues that the government’s expectation of a public deficit of 5% is unrealistic and that a more accurate prediction would reflect a much larger deficit. Verdier-Molinié's critique centers on the persistent issue of high public spending and the ongoing increase in national debt.

Verdier-Molinié outlines that the current budgeting practices in France exhibit a troubling priority — achieving merely a budget rather than a sound financial plan that addresses the nation’s economic needs. She emphasizes that the level of compulsory tax collections remains high, while public spending continues to soar, projecting a national debt to hit an alarming €3,637 billion. Her remarks suggest that the government's budgetary approach lacks the necessary reforms that could lead to a sustainable fiscal strategy.

The implications of her assertions could lead to a significant reevaluation of France's economic policies, particularly in light of mounting public dissatisfaction with budget management. If Verdier-Molinié's predictions hold true, it may force policymakers to reconsider their strategies in the face of impending financial instability, highlighting the critical need for a revised approach to public budgeting and expenditure in France.