French consumer spending rises sharply

French consumer spending leapt 1

French consumer spending leapt 1.8 per cent month-on-month in February, its biggest rise in 1-1/2 years, providing some relief to a conservative government beset by public protest against a youth job law.

National statistics office INSEE said today consumer spending was up 4.5 per cent on the year.

It revised its January figure to a monthly rise of 0.5 per cent, downgrading a jump of 0.9 per cent previously reported.

Economists had expected month-on-month spending to rise just 0.3 per cent in February.

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The data may buoy up Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, whose popularity has plunged in recent weeks as hundreds of thousands of people have protested against his CPE First Job Contract, which allows employers to fire people under 26 for any reason during a two-trial period.

"Consumer spending is quite exceptional, in the order of 1.8 per cent, never seen before," Finance Minister Thierry Breton told French radio Europe 1. Analysts say job worries are one reason why many French keep a tight watch on their wallets.

The national unemployment rate stands at 9.6 per cent, down from a five-year high of 10.2 per cent in May, but still one of Europe's highest.

In separate data, the Bank of France said France posted a seasonally adjusted current account deficit of €3.2 billion in January after a revised deficit of €3.4 billion in December.