French government's crisis measures have cost 450 bln euros - finance minister

French government measures to prop up the economy through the coronavirus crisis have cost 450 billion euros ($490 billion), the equivalent of 20% of GDP, the finance minister said on Monday. Since mid-March, the government has mobilized a package of measures including state-subsidized furloughs, state-guaranteed loans, tax deferrals, and handouts to small firms.

"If we take everything that has been done with the budget and in support of businesses' cashflows, it's 450 billion euros, 20% of the nation's wealth on the table," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on BFM TV. He added that President Emmanuel Macron would announce "strong measures" in support of car-makers, the latest industry to get a sector-specific plan to help it back on its feet. ($1 = 0.9192 euros)