'Time to Cleanse the Augean Stables': Marine Le Pen Slams France's Record Debt

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, has sharply criticized France's soaring debt, describing it as reaching "sad records" not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. She blamed the current fiscal situation on "ten years of Macronism," specifically targeting President Emmanuel Macron and former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

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The rates at which France is borrowing are reaching sad records since the 2008 financial crisis.

Le Pen vowed to "cleanse the Augean stables" of public finances if she wins the presidency, signaling a commitment to drastic fiscal reform. Her remarks came after the benchmark ten-year French debt rate climbed to 4.10%, reflecting a broader increase in borrowing costs for European states.

Other political figures echoed concerns about the national debt. David Lisnard, a presidential hopeful, pointed out that the interest paid on France's debt this year will surpass the national education budget. He advocated for a "real intervention plan" to overhaul the welfare state model and manage the country like a business, emphasizing that "debt is not virtual" and cannot be endlessly rolled over without consequence.

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It is high time to cleanse the Augean stables that the nation's accounts have become!

This sentiment contrasts with suggestions from figures like Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who proposed canceling debt held by the Bank of France, a move Lisnard implicitly criticized as potentially irresponsible.

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The debt is not virtual.