Le Pen vows drastic cost savings to prevent French 'default'

French far-right leader and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she would implement drastic cost savings to prevent a French financial default and bring the nation's public deficit back in line. Speaking in Paris, Le Pen vowed to reduce the deficit to below the European Union's limit of 3% of gross domestic product by 2030, while also urging the European Central Bank to ease the burden of interest rates.

The policy pledges come as France faces severe fiscal challenges, with the government forecasting that the nation's debt will hit 5.4% this year. This projection significantly exceeds the 3% limit established by EU member states, framing the debate ahead of next year's presidential elections.