According to French Budget Minister Eric Woerth, the global economic slowdown and rising inflation have derailed plans to balance the French budget by 2012. This year will see France post a deficit of EUR 49.4 bln, up from an initial forecast of EUR 41.7 bln. The European Union had already scrapped a target date of 2010 for France to balance its budget and had given 2012 as a new one. Guess it’s time to move that along a little. Anyone for 2014, or maybe 2016?