France: an Energy Defense Council to reassure the French
The Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, and the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, here photographed on the occasion of the 82nd anniversary of General De Gaulle's appeal, June 18, 2022. AP - Gonzalo Fuentes
Text by: Valérie Gas Follow
2 mins
Emmanuel Macron convened a Defense Council on Friday, September 2, devoted to the energy crisis.
Objective: to examine the different scenarios to prepare the government for all the situations that could arise during the winter, and to avoid rationing or cuts.
There was no concrete announcement at the end of this Council, but the objective was above all to explain what "sobriety" consists of and to reassure the French.
Advertising
Read more
The idea is to tell the French that “
if we organize ourselves, we will get through the winter
”, explains a member of the government to summarize the objective of this Energy Defense Council.
“
To avoid the worst, you have to prepare for it.
“A communication that nuances the rather alarmist speech of Emmanuel Macron.
Since the start of the school year, the president has explained that “
abundance
” and “
recklessness
” are over.
►Also read: The Energy Defense Council draws criticism from the French opposition
By choosing the format of the Defense Council, Emmanuel Macron wanted to show the danger of this crisis, but also to say that it was under control.
The "true talk", claimed at the Elysée, consists in explaining the risks while giving solutions to reassure.
"
It's not 'everything is fine, Madame
la Marquise', but neither is it blood and tears
", summarizes the same minister.
The government also wants to avoid giving lessons to the French.
Above all, it seeks to call for their responsibility to lower the heating, turn off the lights and participate in the collective effort, because, it is said, "
the best way to save energy is not to put a cop behind every counter
”.
The Minister for Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier Runacher, has also announced that electricity prices will continue to be partly compensated and that France has built up a gas stock of up to 92% of its capacity.
Faced with the explosion in the prices of electricity and gas, companies are already forced to reduce their production.
This is the case of the glass industry, which is particularly energy-intensive.
At Duralex, the factory oven will soon be put on standby.
The glass manufacturer stops its production for the winter.
Faced with the energy crisis, companies are already rationing themselves
Alexis Bedu
►Also see: Fear of power cuts for French companies: "Balancing supply and demand"
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
France
Energies
Emmanuel Macron
French politics