French press upset by use of English

AN EU report on the economies of the member states has attracted French fury – not because it slams France’s “excessive debt”, but because it was in English.

The EU’s annual economic report cards – 1,500 pages of documents - were reportedly released in English and then only six hours later in a version translated into French.

The Brussels correspondent for Libération, Jean Quatremer, led the charge, saying (in French): “Once again all the documents published today are available only in English. This is unacceptable.

“I can’t see why on Earth the Anglo-Saxon press benefits in this way from an incredible competitive advantage over the other media and see no practical reason why the commission cannot do the job [of providing the documents in different languages].”

He added he remembered the days when “doing everything in English was not systematic” and “miraculously” they were still able to get documents out on time.

Mr Quatremer has been supported by most colleagues in the French Brussels press corps, as well as certain members of the UK press, like the Telegraph’s Bruno Waterfield who said French translations always arrive “after the battle”.

The report itself contained some positive signs for France, such as support for one of Mr Hollande’s policies – the issue of “Eurobonds”. However it also contained stern warnings.

It said budgetary consolidation would be one of the new French government’s main challenges.

The country’s deficit is expected to be 4.4% of GDP this year, above the EU target of 3%.

The report warns France risks losing the confidence of the markets, saying: “The high level of public debt poses a threat to the sustainability of public finances.”

New measures are needed to ensure "the excessive deficit is corrected by 2013”.

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