Europe 1 with AFP 4:38 p.m., October 13, 2021
While the price of fuels should continue to rise in the coming weeks, the government spokesperson seemed to favor the path of specific aid to that of lowering taxes. "The decision is not taken," said Gabriel Attal, while the opposition is making proposals to help the French.
The government is studying "protective measures" for the French if fuel prices were to continue to rise "over time", its spokesperson Gabriel Attal announced on Wednesday.
"There are several possible avenues: there is the question of lowering taxes - we are not there today - there may be a question of specific assistance", said the secretary of State on BFM and RMC, while specifying that "the decision is not taken".
"Before making a decision, you have to look at what is most effective in helping the French who need it most," he added.
Lower VAT?
"As soon as these increases continue and that the estimates that are made indicate that they should continue over time, obviously we would consider protective measures, as we did on gas, as we have done on electricity, "assured the government spokesperson. "If these increases continue, we will take the necessary measures," insisted Gabriel Attal.
While "very strong demand" should according to experts "start to decline again from the end of the first quarter, in the first half of the year, the question is how do we help the French get through" the current moment , analyzed Gabriel Attal.
Six months before the presidential election, purchasing power is becoming one of the flagship themes of the campaign, while energy prices are soaring in Europe.
Marine Le Pen, candidate of the RN at the Elysee, proposed to lower the VAT on gasoline, gas and electricity to 5.5% instead of 20%, to bring to French households a "shock of purchasing power ".
"The government is dragging its feet", criticizes Mélenchon
In the ranks of the candidates of the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) advocates a blocking of energy prices, "the safest method", he said Wednesday during a press conference at the 'National Assembly. The leader of the rebellious once again said he "does not agree with the tax cuts" as a solution to the rise in energy prices, with the major consequences, according to him, "less money for the State "and that" we pay (in the end) by tax or loan ".
"The government is dragging its feet on the problems of daily life" of the French, lambasted Jean-Luc Mélenchon for whom the executive may "panic", fuel prices are currently "higher than those at the time of the outbreak of the crisis of yellow vests "in 2018. Anne Hidalgo (PS) advocates a reduction in the fuel tax and Arnaud Montebourg (ex-PS) a reduction in VAT to 5.5% on energy.