France cuts economic growth forecast

France's economy is set to grow slightly less than expected this year, the finance minister said Friday, in another setback for President Francois Hollande as he weighs a re-election bid.

Michel Sapin said on Europe 1 radio that economic growth of 1.4 percent was "the figure we are working on for this year as an assumption."

Previous forecasts were for 1.5 percent growth in 2016.

It follows data earlier this week showing France's unemployment rate increased slightly in the third quarter, as the eurozone's second biggest economy gears up for presidential elections next year.

Hollande, who has the lowest popularity ratings of any of his post-war counterparts, has staked his presidency on a vow to make a "credible" dent in joblessness.

Source: AFP