I am wondering myself the exact same questions. France is more socialist than most developed countries yet it has this deficit and economic output problem more than some countries that aren't as socialist. I of course want to tax the billionaires, but does anyone have numbers? Would that cover the funding gap?

Socialism.

By doing what you're told to do when you get bailed out by the EU: gutting whatever welfare you've left, privatizing essential services, letting private companies dictate school syllabi etc etc

Cut costs and weather the protests