"I've decided not to raise taxes on electricity," Barnier told Le Figaro, in a major concession to political opposition groups who are threatening to bring down the unpopular government over its belt-tightening budget.
Politicians are locked in a standoff over the 2025 budget which seeks to tackle France's growing public deficit through €60bn (£50bn) in tax increases and spending cuts. The government could collapse if Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party joins parties on the left in a no-confidence vote in parliament.
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