France plans to include a €54 billion savings drive in its 2027 budget as rising borrowing costs, protests over fuel prices and political opposition complicate efforts to contain the deficit. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the measures were necessary to restrain social and local-government spending as well as higher interest costs, warning that the deficit would exceed 6.5% of GDP without savings. France’s 10-year OAT yield has reached 4.5%, its highest level since 2008, while public debt stands at roughly €3.5 trillion, or about 117% of GDP. Annual interest payments are projected at €65 billion, with Lecornu previously estimating that higher rates could add €10 billion to debt-servicing costs. The budget is due to be presented to a deeply divided parliament at the end of the month, ahead of next year’s presidential election. Socialist lawmakers have ruled out supporting it, while Marine Le Pen said the Rassemblement National would oppose a bill that freezes pensions below inflation but left open the possibility of abstaining. Protests by fishermen over energy prices ended at several Mediterranean ports after talks, while emergency fuel subsidies for agriculture, fishing and construction were extended through the end of the year.