PARIS-France's public debt has surged past the 3 trillion euro mark:rance's public debt has surged past the 3 trillion euro mark, posing significant financial challenges for the nation, Prime Minister Michel Barnier revealed in a recent interview on France 2. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating the annual interest alone amounts to 50 billion euros. According to Burkina Information Agency, Prime Minister Barnier discussed the critical state of France's finances, with the debt nearing 3.160 trillion euros. In his televised address, he highlighted the unsustainable nature of the current economic model and stressed that the wealthiest citizens might need to contribute more to alleviate the national debt. Barnier proposed targeted levies on affluent individuals and major corporations as part of a broader strategy to balance the nation's books without imposing additional burdens on the general populace. "I am not going to increase taxes further on all French people who already pay the most taxes o f all European partners," Barnier asserted, ruling out tax hikes for the lower and middle-income groups, as well as those who are already employed. His approach focuses on ensuring economic equity and avoiding exacerbating the environmental and financial liabilities that France currently faces. The Prime Minister's call for a "collective effort" reflects a strategic pivot towards fiscal sustainability, aiming to engage the wealthier segments of society in addressing the economic crisis. This move, while controversial, is seen as a necessary step to prevent deeper financial instability in France.