Economy Minister says targeted aid, not protests, will ease fuel price pain

During a televised interview, Economy Minister Roland Lescure expressed concern over the rapid rise in fuel prices, describing it as a largely global issue. He emphasized that the administration will concentrate public aid on the most financially strained households rather than implementing blanket tax reductions. Proposals from Marine Le Pen to lower the fuel VAT to 5.5% and from Bruno Retailleau to scrap energy-saving certificates were dismissed as ineffective, with Lescure noting the certificates help finance the green transition.

The government’s sole broad-based measure is a €100 “grand rouleurs” cheque for commuters covering at least 30 kilometres each day, yet only about half of the three million eligible citizens have applied. Lescure warned that universal subsidies would require everyone to bear the cost, reinforcing the need for means-tested support.