France's 2024 budget deficit could top 6% of GDP: minister

As France’s newly-formed government faces pressure to finalise its spending plans for 2025, budget minister Laurent Saint-Martin said the state of public finances was worse than was expected only a few days ago, and that this year’s budget shortfall could top 6% of GDP, far above the government’s earlier estimate of 5.1%. Plus, Commerzbank has named Bettina Orlopp as its new CEO, as it tries to fend off a possible hostile takeover by Italy’s UniCredit.