The French government’s budget deficit more than doubled in one year because of the effects of the economic crisis, the Budget Ministry reported. At the end of September, the deficit stood at €128.5 billion, compared to €56.6 billion at the same time last year. The change is explained mainly by the weight of the economic situation on (state) revenues and, at a total of €29.9 billion, the effect of the economic stimulus measures, the ministry said. General budget revenues stood at €169.7 billion on September 30, compared to €221.6 billion one year earlier. The ministry said that the development was in line with expectations. The French government has said that the deficit for the entire year would reach €141 billion, or 8.2% of GDP. Recently, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said his government would introduce a public finance strategy intended to reduce the deficit to below 3% of GDP by the year 2014, to conform with EU regulations.