The French government on Saturday announced a reduction in the price of fuel amid soaring energy prices, majorly due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The announcement which was made by Prime Minister Jean Castex will be a “discount at the pump of 15 cents per litre” and will apply from April 1 and for 4 months for all French people.
The soaring energy prices across the world, made the French government through Jean Castex to make the move to ease the sufferings of the French people.
According to Le Parisien, the Prime Minister while making this announcement on Saturday, said that this “pump discount of 15 cents per litre” will apply from April 1 and for 4 months for all French people.
This measure, which will cost the State around 2 billion euros, concerns households and businesses alike and will be “valid on all fuels”, specified the Prime Minister.
“This means that for each full 60 litres, you will save 9 euros”, thus assessed Jean Castex in a daily interview.
This reduction will be made at the time of payment, at the cash desk or by credit card at the pump, and will therefore not be immediately visible on the prices displayed at the entrance to the station, detailed the head of government.
Jean Castex calls on distributors to make an “additional gesture” on soaring energy prices
If the State will then “reimburse” the distributors, Jean Castex called on them, just like the “oil companies”, to make themselves “an additional gesture”.
“How would the French understand that they pay a full tank of diesel at 2 euros, while at the same time the oil companies are still making big profits,” he wondered.
“If the State makes an effort of 15 cents per litre, and if they make an effort of 5 cents, for example, it is indeed 20 cents that must end up in the pocket of the French”, further urged the Prime Minister.
Assuring that professionals were indeed concerned by the measure, Jean Castex sent an additional message to fishermen, whose “fleet of boats” is “very fuel-intensive”. “We are working with communities on measures to lower their social and port charges,” he announced.
soaring energy prices
In an attempt to stem the effects of the soaring energy prices for months, aggravated by the invasion of Ukraine , the government has already taken a battery of measures: freezing the price of gas, limiting it to 4 % of the increase in electricity, exceptional energy check, inflation allowance for 38 million people, or even an increase in the scale of mileage allowances.
A set of decisions weighing more than 20 billion, according to Jean Castex, who must also unveil next week “an economic and social resilience plan” in the face of the consequences of the war.
Asked about a possible clientelism trial, less than a month before the first round of the presidential election, the head of government argued that the price of fuel had become “the first concern of the French”.
“Do you see me telling them ‘move on, there’s nothing to see!’ because there is an election in less than thirty days? It is not my conception of my responsibility, “he said.
AFP)