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Marina Klinova, Dr. of Science (Economics), Leading Researcher at the IMEMO Center for European Studies, commented on the plans of the French leadership to rebuild the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

COVID-19 was a test, a trial and a window of opportunity for France to become a great industrial nation again, to overcome the existing and pre-existing contradictions in the economy, including with the support of the State. For President Macron, taking the necessary socio-economic measures to deal with the crisis and halting the reforms were painful enough, since deviation from European fiscal criteria for budget deficit and public debt affects France’s claim to leadership in the EU”...

… Much of the economy will depend on the possible onset of a second pandemic. True, France will be better prepared to face a shock that will no longer be sudden. “The future will tell whether the pandemic will boost the economy or whether France will be plunged into recession for a long time.

See: France hopes to restart the economy in early September (in Russian).