Fuel prices are soaring, Bruno le Maire asks Total to play firefighters

The government is counting on TotalEnergies to lower fuel prices in France. Witness Bruno le Maire, Minister of the Economy. guest of France info this Thursday, September 7, the politician asked for a gesture. He wants the oil company to extend its price cap at the pump beyond December 31:

“I would like TotalEnergies, which has made a commitment to cap the prices of all fuels, diesel and petrol, at 1.99 euros until the end of the year, to extend this cap (…) beyond of December 31, 2023.” “TotalEnergies is the only major French oil company we have left, that must be an asset.”

It should be remembered that TotalEnergies caps the prices of its fuels at €1.99/L until the end of 2023. A measure taken very early in the year, which was made discreetly, after a very commented in 2022. It remains to be seen whether this call will be heard by the leaders of the energy company.

The government multiplies the excuses to refuse the idea of ​​​​a rebate

Hoping that the latter do not adopt the current posture of the government, which consists in refusing the idea of ​​setting up any aid for the French. However, the subject of a rebate has come up regularly in recent weeks.

Thus, the cost of such a measure was presented as a reason not to introduce it. As well as the ecological argument, excuse not to set up a rebate. Recently, Bruno le Maire recalled that prices are increasing because Saudi Arabia and Russia have decided to reduce their production. But he doesn’t want “to pay for the oil diplomacy of Mr. (Vladimir) Putin and Saudi Arabia”.

Still, the French political scene is torn on this subject. Government representatives, such as Clément Beaune, Minister Delegate in charge of Transport and also concerned by the subject, oppose such a measure. Xavier Bertrand, LR president of the Hauts-de-France region, is on his favorable side. He did not hesitate to accuse Bruno the Mayor of lying, recently.