France, Sept. 11 -- The government now expects growth of 0.5 percent in 2026, down from 0.7 percent previously.

"This year has been marked by extreme crises involving four different types of shocks," Lescure said on Friday. He cited domestic political uncertainty, surging energy prices, extreme summer weather and a jump in borrowing costs on bond markets.

Lescure nonetheless said France was sticking to its forecast of 1 percent growth next year.

The downgraded outlook will make it harder for the government to get its 2027 budget passed in the coming months. A deeply divided parliament is due to begin examining it at the end of the month. Deficit target out of reach

The government had aimed to bring the deficit down to 5 percent of GDP...