French budget deficit hits $191 billion 

(MENAFN) The French Budget Ministry reported that the government's budget deficit more than doubled in one year because of the effects of the economic crisis, Reuters reported.

At the end of September, the deficit stood at $191 billion, compared to $84 billion at the same time last year. General budget revenues stood at $252 billion on September 30, compared to $329 billion a year earlier.

The ministry said that the development was in line with expectations. The French government has said that the deficit for the entire year would reach $209.5 billion, or 8.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Recently, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said his government would introduce a public finance strategy intended to reduce the deficit to below 3 percent of GDP by the year 2014, to conform with EU regulations.