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French Economy Enters Recession

After Ireland, it's the second EU nation in economic trouble

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 3, 2008 9:08 AM CDT

(AP) – France has entered a recession. The national statistics agency projects that the economy will contract by 0.1% in the third and fourth quarters of 2008, meeting the generally accepted definition. Finance Minister Christine Lagarde blamed the troubles on high oil prices, the strength of the euro earlier this year, and the worsening financial crisis across the globe.

Lagarde insisted that the government is "totally mobilized" to protect French consumers' spending power. She said that the priority should now be on re-establishing confidence in the financial markets, "so that this weak economic conjuncture remains temporary." Other European countries are not faring much better: Last week, Ireland formally declared that it's in a recession, and Germany, Spain, and Britain may all follow.

PM Francois Fillon and Finance Minister Christine Lagarde are seen leaving a meeting at the prime minister's office in Paris. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.
PM Francois Fillon and Finance Minister Christine Lagarde are seen leaving a meeting at the prime minister's office in Paris. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Nicolas Sarkozy after speaking at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.
Nicolas Sarkozy after speaking at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.
Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. France has entered a recession, the national statistics office said today.   (AP Photo/Philippe Wojazer, Pool)
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