The French economy shrank further in the first quarter, bringing the country officially into recession after a fall in the last quarter of 2008. Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said growth data would be "bad".

AFP - The French economy has lost more steam in the first quarter, Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said on Thursday, ahead of the release of growth data which she said would be "bad."
  
France's gross domestic product shrank by 1.1 percent in the last quarter of 2008 and a second consecutive drop would mean the country has officially entered into recession.