{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/39fc4a99-8861-437d-81e2-684d13e48f92/69039a8795ee8b181504c970?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Budget balancing act: an interview with France’s finance minister","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d92155874248/1761843546616-9d12880c-01f2-40f0-87df-382976c5a9b6.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>France has been <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/06/frances-fifth-republic-is-in-unprecedented-turmoil?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=moneytalks&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">cycling through governments</a> with head-spinning speed. Part of what has brought each down is a contentious 2026 budget. Sophie Pedder, our Paris bureau chief, shares her exclusive interview with Roland Lescure, France’s finance minister. They discuss how he intends <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/30/frances-finance-minister-on-how-to-pass-a-budget?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=moneytalks&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">to get the budget passed</a> at last, and what is at stake if he does not.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts: Mike Bird, Ethan Wu and Alice Fulwood. Guest: Roland Lescure.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Transcripts of our podcasts are available via</em><a href=\"http://economist.com/podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> economist.com/podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our</em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch</em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}