Lower fuel taxes? “France no longer has the funds for such support”

The French government continues to rule out reducing fuel taxes to ease the rise in gasoline prices. As government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said on Thursday, this scenario is not currently envisaged. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu met with the ministers of trade and economy.

The AFP news agency reported, citing the prime minister's entourage, that the meeting was intended to take stock of the situation in order to “continue efforts to stop price increases” and “mobilize sectors to identify collective solutions” for the most vulnerable industries. The Ministry of Economy estimates that the direct impact on French industry remains “limited”.

Bregeon admitted that France no longer has the funds for the same support as during the COVID-19 pandemic and recalled that the government had committed to reducing the budget deficit to 5%. GDP this year

Previously, the government considered proposals to reduce VAT on fuels or freeze prices to be “demagogic”. However, left-wing parties appeal for support for those most in need. The head of the CGT trade union, Sophie Binet, accused the Lecorn cabinet of lack of action on Thursday; Earlier, Binet appealed to the Minister of Economy to organize a “round table” on energy prices.

The daily “L'Opinion” assessed on Thursday that the government is preparing limited and sectoral measures to support, for example, road carriers and fishermen.

France is subject to an excessive deficit procedure by the European Commission and has committed to reducing the budget deficit to 3%. GDP in 2029.

From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)

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