France Told Time Is Running Out as Hollande Seeks Budget Leeway

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem urged France to stick with its deficit reduction plans, signaling his opposition to President Francois Hollande’s bid to slacken the pace of austerity.

In the wake of a rout in municipal elections, Hollande hinted on March 31 that France will seek another delay to its deficit-cutting commitments so that his new government can try to bolster economic growth with tax cuts.