Fin Min Le Maire: Gov't Investigating Extending Furlough Beyond 31 Dec

Wires and social media carrying comments from French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire claiming that the Macron administration is investigating whether the country's COVID-19 furlough scheme could or should be extended beyond year-end.

• The comment comes in stark contrast to those made by Le Maire in September, when asked about President Macron's comments about continuing support 'whatever the cost', Le Maire replied, “The bill for ‘whatever the cost’ stands at EUR80 billion in subsidies, and EUR160 billion in loans,”
• It should of course be noted that French politics is swiftly gearing up for next year's presidential election, with the first round taking place on 10 April. The extension of the furlough scheme is unlikely to do Macron's approval ratings any harm as the vote approaches.