France targeted in EU crackdown on excessive spending

Both France and Italy are promising deficits that meet EU rules -- but Brussels has concerns over their spending plans. AFP/File

The European Union is to reprimand France and six other member states over excessive spending that breaches the bloc’s new budget rules.

The move, expected Wednesday, will mark the first time Brussels has sanctioned nations since the EU suspended budget rules after the 2020 Covid pandemic and the ensuing energy crisis brought on by the Ukraine war.