BRUSSELS, Belgium, Oct 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Business activity in the eurozone rose at the fastest pace in 17 months in October, a closely watched survey showed on Friday, despite a gloomy outlook in France where political uncertainty remains.

The HCOB Flash Eurozone purchasing managers' index (PMI) published by S&P Global accelerated this month to 52.2 from 51.2 in September.

Any reading above 50 indicates growth, while a figure below 50 shows contraction.

Europe's biggest economy Germany registered a solid increase in output this month but France, the second-largest economy, posted a fourteenth consecutive monthly reduction in output as political turmoil rocks the country.

"France is increasingly becoming a drag on the eurozone economy," Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, said.

Excluding France and Germany, the euro area registered the fastest increase in activity for two-and-a-half years, the survey found.

France has been mired in political paralysis since President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections last year, aiming to consolidate his power, but ended up without a workable majority in parliament.

There is still unease in the business community over whether Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu can remain in power since there are outstanding issues including the 2026 budget that could bring his government down.

"As an important buyer of products and services from other eurozone countries, France's weakness contributes to the fragility of the recovery in the rest of the eurozone," de la Rubia said.