FRANCE URGES MORE GERMAN INVESTMENT

BERLIN: France's finance minister on Wednesday urged Germany to loosen the purse strings to help boost European growth, reminding Berlin-

Of its wider responsibilities, as Chancellor Angela Merkel struggles to forge a new coalition at home.

France has already done its bit by ''reducing its public spending and reforming its economy,''  Bruno Le Maire told Die Zeit weekly.

''We expect Germany to join the movement, by adopting more offensive wage policies and investing more.''

The call comes at a sensitive time for Merkel who is trying to renew an alliance reluctant Social Democratic Party after an inconclusive September election.

''We are now expecting investments in big projects, in innovation, research and infrastructure,'' the French Minister added.

Germany is expected announce today a budget surplus for 2017 that surpasses 10 billion Euros or  US $12 billion, German media reported-

Putting pressure on Merkel for greater wealth distribution in the country.