A look at France’s public debt as economy takes center stage in French election

France's public debt has reached a record high during President Emmanuel Macron's two terms in office, causing concern among investors and becoming a key issue in the upcoming presidential election. The debt, which now stands at 119% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), has left the nation's financial situation strained and likely to be a major topic in the campaign.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who will present the 2027 draft budget on Thursday, aims to reduce the deficit by cutting public spending. However, this proposal has faced widespread criticism from various political sides. Radical-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon has suggested canceling French government bonds held by the European Central Bank to free up money for public spending.

Despite Melenchon's claim that this would effectively cancel the debt, ECB President Christine Lagarde argues that it would violate EU treaty rules and could lead to unfavorable borrowing conditions for France in the future.

France's debt is smaller than that of Greece (143.5% of GDP) and Italy (138.9%), but it is higher than the U.S.'s 122.6%. The country's debt burden is smaller than those nations' respectively, but it faces unique challenges, such as lacking the world's dominant reserve currency, which supports Washington's borrowing ability.

To finance its budget deficit and fund public services like education and policing, France relies on taxes, levies, and loans. The country's public debt has been a significant component of its annual budget since the 1970s, with interest costs expected to rise significantly due to higher interest rates.