French GDP fell by more than a percentage.

Economy of France in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to preliminary data, decreased by 1,2 percent. This statement was made by Finance Minister Christine Lagarde (Christine Lagarde), reported AFP. Official figures for GDP are expected to be published on 13 February.
According to Lagarde, the data of the country's economy for September-December of last year will be "extremely negative." In particular, as noted by the Minister of Finance, is expected to decline in industrial production and falling exports. Earlier, the French statistics institute INSEE predicted decline in GDP to 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter.
At the same time, a statement Lagarde Bank of France announced preliminary data on the state budget deficit. In 2008, the deficit doubled in size in comparison with the previous year and amounted to 39.2 billion euros. In 2007, this figure reached 19.6 billion euros.
Remember, the INSEE for the first nine months of 2008 show that the economy of the country (one of the few in Europe) managed to avoid a technical recession, ie the reduction in GDP over two quarters in succession. In the third quarter of the French economy grew by 0.1 percent after a decrease of 0.3 per cent quarter earlier.
In December last year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the support of the country's economy, the funding will be allocated 26 billion euros. Sarkozy expects that realization of the plan will help the country's GDP to grow in 2009 at 0.6 percent.