France keeps 2026 growth forecast despite first-quarter stagnation

10 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Apr 30

Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the government still expects 0.9% growth this year after the economy showed zero growth in the first three months.
He blamed weak domestic demand and falling exports, saying the start of the Iran war also weighed on activity.
Temporary drags included lower public investment before local elections and reduced energy demand because of mild temperatures.

Are temporary shocks like the Iran war masking a deeper, structural decline in the French economy?

With its wine exports at a 25-year low, can France's economy truly rebound without major trade policy shifts?