EU puts pressure on deficits

The EU executive has asked yesterday in nine countries to reduce their deficit below the limit of 3% of GDP by 2013. In this group, France is in the company of Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. Few States to escape the vigilance of the police budget in Europe. Belgium and Italy are ordered to comply with this requirement of the Stability Pact in 2012. However, both countries have a grace period: Ireland may wait until 2014 and Great Britain until April 2015 to reduce their deficits. Already, the France and Belgium, deeming these goals unrealistic, have questioned the relevance of the deadline. Both want an additional year to satisfy the Commission.Greece, regarded as a bad pupil of the European class because of an excessive deficit, may be punished more quickly than other states.

"Deficit: Paris ready for showdown with Brussels

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• Aid to Greece in five questions
• Rigor: same effort in France and Germany
• Forecast growth in 2010 doubled in France
• The euro resumed after "dropping too fast"