Two days had passed since the ministers laid out their priorities, today, they returned with folders with figures, maps.
Moreau sat at the head of the long oak table.
He watched as each minister arranged their papers into neat stacks, aides hovering like sentries.
He cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, mesdames, the envelope remains fixed one hundred billion francs. Today, we allocate. Across these files are demands totaling one hundred thirty-two billion." He paused, letting the silence stretch. "We must reconcile them. Thoroughly. Every franc needs justification. Let's begin."
Reynaud, Finance Minister, exhaled and leaned forward. "I'll start. We must protect fiscal stability. Proposals beyond one hundred thirty billion risk reserve depletion. I've already groomed bond curves to maximum solvency if we go higher, inflation will return. My colleagues, if taxes increase, spending must balance in real terms."
