In an interview, newly appointed French Finance Minister Eric Lombard stated that the delayed budget bill for 2025 will target a deficit of "slightly above 5%" to protect France's economic growth. Lombard's 2025 deficit target is higher than the 5% set by the previous government and is expected to decline compared to this year, when the deficit is projected to exceed 6% of GDP. "To protect economic growth, the deficit must be reduced more through cuts in public spending rather than through taxation," Lombard added, emphasizing that any tax increases should be "very limited." He noted that he will consult with all parties in the French Parliament to discuss proposals that would contribute to the government's budget initiative. Lombard was appointed as a member of the Borne government last Monday.