A round-up of public finance stories from around Europe you might have missed this week (May 6–10).

Greek budget on track to meet fiscal targets

Greece stayed on track to meet its fiscal targets in the first four months of the year, helped by cuts in public spending and investment, the finance ministry said on Friday (Reuters).

Hungary seeks austerity-free way to escape budget shackle

Hungary is seeking to avoid austerity measures as it works to end nine years of European Union budget monitoring and remove the threat of funding cuts, according to government and ruling party officials (Bloomberg).

France given more time to reach budget targets

French finance minister Pierre Moscovici has promised to keep up the pace of economic reform after Paris was granted more time to reach its budget targets (Irish Times).

Portugal plans spending cuts to meet bailout targets

Portugal plans to raise the retirement age by one year to 66 and make public sector employees work an extra hour a day as part of an array of new spending cuts needed to slash the budget deficit and meet its bailout targets (Independent Online, South Africa).

Norway growth forecast cut amid Europe turmoil

Norway on Tuesday lowered its growth forecast for this year to levels that will still see it outpace its European neighbours, but which could weaken the current government ahead of September's election (The Local, Norway).