A symbol of the European Union could be called into question for a long time.
In France, voices are being raised to abandon the rule of 3% deficit not to be exceeded.
This was suspended with the onset of the health crisis and no one knows when it will be reintroduced.
ANALYSIS
Could Europe soon go back on one of its most sacred rules?
A refrain resonates more and more on the French side: it is planned to abandon the "golden" rule, which obliges countries to contain their deficit to 3% of GDP.
Entered into force with the Maastricht Treaty, the rule was suspended with the onset of the health crisis.
It will not be applied with massive European recovery plans and doubts remain about its return once the crisis is over.
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On the French side, we believe that there is no point in promising what we cannot keep.
Indeed, according to a minister from Bercy, in the most optimistic scenarios - that is to say growth without an increase in public spending in the years to come - the return below the 3% threshold is not attainable before 2025 at best.
This same minister admits that this scenario will be difficult to maintain.
It is therefore impossible to set a realistic date.
A puzzle for years
Many politicians in France have been tearing their hair out for years to try to stay in the nails.
Paris is campaigning for the implementation of new rules, given that ecological and digital transitions will require billions of euros of investment.
But this state of mind is not shared by everyone in Brussels.
French laxity in budgetary matters irritates some member states.
The Commission has not yet set a date for a possible return of this rule, hence the pressure being put on by Paris at this very moment.