French Markets Watchdog Sees Country Dodging Financial Crisis

The head of France’s securities regulator dismissed concerns the country is facing a potential financial crisis after political instability triggered two credit downgrades within a week.

Marie—Anne Barbat-Layani, who leads the Paris-based Autorité des Marchés Financiers, cited a peer in a beleaguered neighbor who once told her: “Double A is the new triple A.”