Finance Minister Antoine Armand said France won’t accept artificial budget deadlines from Marine Le Pen even as the far-right leader gave her strongest indication yet that she’s prepared to topple the government as soon as this week.

France faces a political and financial crisis as Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government teeters on the brink of collapse.

Prime Minister Michel Barnier said on Friday that France needed stability, when asked about a possible 'ultimatum' given to him by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party due to widespread opposition to his proposed budget.

Investors are steering clear of French assets after a sudden flare-up in political tension this week, betting that the volatile period is far from over.

French Finance Minister Antoine Armand said on Saturday that the 2025 budget could still be improved, but stopped short of giving ground in a standoff with the far right over new concessions. Ratings agency Standard & Poor's gave Prime Minister Michel Barnier's fragile minority government a rare reprieve late on Friday leaving its rating steady although France's budget deficit has spiralled out of control this year.

France's unpopular government is ready to make concessions over next year's budget, Finance Minister Antoine Armand said on Thursday, amid growing concerns that opposition to the bill could topple Prime Minister Michel Barnier's administration.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Thursday announced a major concession in a bid to end a standoff with the opposition over the budget, which has caused jitters on financial