Banks targeted as France confirms 2015 savings in mini-budget

(Reuters) - President Francois Hollande's government plans to remove a tax break currently available for banks as part of a package of additional measures aimed at getting the European Commission's green light for its deficit-reduction efforts.

France breaks 2015 deficit-cutting promise

(Reuters) - France announced on Wednesday it was breaking the latest in a long line of promises to European Union partners to cut its public deficit, conceding it now would take until 2017 to bring its finances in line with EU rules.

France's Montebourg says euro rate is matter for politicians

(Reuters) - Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg stepped up France's push for a weaker euro on Wednesday, saying political leaders had the right to assess the right level for the currency in a position completely at odds with Germany's.

Analysis: Hardest yet to come for France's Hollande on reforms

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande has won cautious backing from Berlin, Brussels and financial markets for a centrist reform push that could be his last chance to get the euro zone's second largest economy motoring.

EU bans arms exports to Central African Republic

(Reuters) - The European Union on Monday banned the export of arms and the sending of mercenaries to Central African Republic, which is racked by sectarian violence.

France's Hollande flags need to cut labor costs

(Reuters) - President Francois Hollande said on Friday France needed to cut the high cost of labor in France to bring down stubbornly high unemployment in the euro zone's second-biggest economy.

Spain, France reverse roles as economic fortunes diverge

MADRID/PARIS, Nov 27 (Reuters) - One year ago, when Spain's Mariano Rajoy travelled to Paris to meet France's Francois Hollande for their annual bilateral summit, only one question was on the agenda: if and when Spain would seek a European bailout for its crippled public finances.

French auditor urges economic reforms to slash spending

France's national auditor has warned that further cuts in public spending are needed if the country is to get its ailing economy back on track.

Germans irked as Hollande says EU cannot dictate French reforms

(Reuters) - President Francois Hollande pledged on Thursday to carry out long overdue reforms of France's pension system and labor markets but said it was up to Paris, not the European Commission, to determine how they are implemented.

French unemployment at new high

The number of unemployed people in France rose to a fresh high last month, official data shows.

Eyeing growth, France seeks to smooth Algeria ties

PARIS/ALGIERS (Reuters) - President Francois Hollande travels to Algeria on Wednesday to try to heal wounds left by a bloody war of independence half a century ago and to seek greater access to the former colony's oil wealth in an attempt to lift France's own flagging economy.

French PM: committed to cutting deficit

BERLIN (AP) — France's prime minister assured a German audience on Thursday that his country is committed to getting its debt under control, amid concerns that the second-largest economy in the 17-country group that uses the euro is weakening.

France unveils a budget heavy on taxes

PARIS (AP) — The French government presented a budget Friday that was heavy on taxes — including a controversial 75 percent income rate on high earners — but which critics said lacked fundamental reforms that could jumpstart economic growth.

French joblessness tops 3 million for first time in 13 yrs

PARIS (Reuters) - The number of unemployed in France topped the 3 million mark in August for the first time in 13 years, official figures showed on Wednesday, adding to President Francois Hollande's woes as he seeks to revive a stalled economy and his tumbling poll ratings.

Merkel, Hollande pledge to consult on EADS

LUDWIGSBURG, Germany (Reuters) - France and Germany pledged on Saturday to consult closely on plans by Airbus parent EADS and Britain's BAE Systems to forge a new aerospace and defense giant, but announced no joint decisions on the $45 billion merger plan.

Merkel and Hollande sidestep Greece's plea for breathing space

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande pledged to keep Greece in the eurozone, but offered Greece no immediate relief from its current regime of painful austerity measures.

Debt crisis: France must find €10bn of savings

France must find up to €10bn (£8bn) of savings to bring its budget deficit under control this year, finance minister Pierre Moscovici has said.

EU summit: Merkel challenged on growth strategy

EU leaders have started summit talks in Brussels with Germany resisting pressure to launch eurobonds as a way to ease the eurozone crisis.

G8 Summit: France leads call to keep Greece in the euro

France led calls for a push to keep Greece in the eurozone as world leaders met for the G8 summit in Camp David after a torrid week for the crisis-ridden region.