Fuel prices: Emmanuel Macron calls for thinking about “new responses”, the government is “forbidding nothing”

The Head of State called on his government this Wednesday to think about “new responses” to combat the rise in fuel prices. The government is “holding nothing back” regarding a tax on excess oil profits.

In a “highly uncertain” international context, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, called this Wednesday to think about “new responses” against the increase in fuel prices, according to comments reported by government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, after the Council of Ministers.

“He asked ministers and the entire government to continue to receive the professions affected by the increase in the price of energy, and specifically by the increase in the price of fuel, ministry by ministry, to provide and build with them possible new responses to support the treasury on the one hand, targeted responses on the other hand to anticipate the weeks to come,” declared Maud Bregeon.

What can this go through? “We are not denying ourselves anything,” she added, when she was questioned about the very good results published this Wednesday morning by TotalEnergies and about a possible tax on excess profits. “I note that Total has implemented price ceilings, we naturally invite them to continue this,” declared Maud Bregeon.

Constrained room for maneuver

The Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, announced on April 21 the extension and strengthening for the month of May of aid for fishermen and farmers in the face of the surge in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East.

He also mentioned the creation of a “support system” for some three million “high rollers”, low-income workers affected by the rise in prices. This will consist of an average reduction of 20 euro cents per liter.

The government has very limited budgetary room for maneuver and has until now limited itself to targeted aid. He also believes that there is no concern regarding the supply of hydrocarbons for the month of May.