 France's economy is bouncing back |
Oil's record-breaking run has not hit consumer demand in France, the fastest growing euro zone economy, said Budget Minister Dominique Bussereau. Speaking on Radio Inter, Mr Bussereau said that "there are no signs of a slowdown in overall consumption".
Mr Bussereau's comments came as barge operators protested in Paris on Saturday, calling for state help to offset the effects of high oil prices.
Consumer spending is a key driver of worldwide economic growth.
On Friday, US Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan also tried to play down the threat posed by surging oil prices.
As crude futures set a new record of $55 a barrel in New York, Mr Greenspan said that the higher costs do not yet put the US economy in danger.
French growth is enjoying an upturn, and the government forecasts that the economy will expand by 2.5% both this year and the next.
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