Berlin Treads Softly-softly On Macron Over Deficit

Germany is taking a softly-softly approach to French President Emmanuel Macron's use of government largesse to calm violent "yellow vest" protests, government sources say, as Berlin puts European stability above fiscal discipline.

Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Dec, 2018 ) :Germany is taking a softly-softly approach to French President Emmanuel Macron's use of government largesse to calm violent "yellow vest" protests, government sources say, as Berlin puts European stability above fiscal discipline.

A reluctance to criticise publicly contrasts with complaints about France from Italy whose populist coalition government is in a stand-off with Brussels over its own big-spending budget which includes a sharp spike in the deficit.

"It's good news that things are calming down. France is Germany's most important partner and we have no interest in seeing it destabilised for the long term," a senior German government source said.

Ministers have been urged not to stoke confrontation with Paris as Macron attempts to end mass demonstrations against his pro-business reforms, promising tax and spending measures for the lowest earners worth billions of Euros (Dollars).

"We don't know how they're going to pay for all this," the government source said, but "we will hold back from talking about a budget slip. This is about the French public finances; it's not for Germany to judge."