France’s statistics agency provisionally puts October inflation at 3.4%, up from 3.1% in September, as parliament faces a decision on a deficit-reducing budget.
France’s economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter of 2026 while inflation rose more than anticipated, France 24 said on 30 October. France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, warned that the economy could be “headed for a wall” if parliament does not soon approve a budget to reduce the deficit.
Insee, France’s statistics agency, provisionally estimated that consumer prices rose 3.4% from a year earlier in October 2026, compared with 3.1% in September. It said faster increases in energy prices, particularly gas and petroleum products, and in prices for services contributed to the October reading. The estimate uses a limited set of price observations and estimates for some prices not yet available.
No bloc won an absolute majority in France’s 2024 legislative election, leaving parliament without a majority bloc. The October 30 report said nationwide protests were expected that weekend and were making it harder for the government to cut spending.
Parliament still faces the budget decision Lescure described. Insee is scheduled to publish final October consumer-price figures on 13 November.
The European Council will appoint her successor through the nomination process under Article 283, the bank said in its October 29 announcement.
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