As fuel prices remain at extremely high levels, will the government rebate be extended again?
This is what Bruno Le Maire proposes in an interview with
Echoes
published this Wednesday.
“
Why not consider extending the 18-cent discount until the end of the year, if economic conditions so require [...]?
“, declared the Minister of Economy to the economic daily.
Read alsoDoes the state really make “no money” with rising fuel prices?
On CNews Wednesday morning, the tenant of Bercy reiterated his remarks.
“
I make a proposal: discuss with those who wish (in the National Assembly, editor’s note) to see if we cannot extend the fuel discount until the end of December
”, he repeated.
A government measure put in place in April and which was originally due to end in July.
But the executive finally indicated in early June that it would be maintained in August.
Originally, the government's plan was to "
gradually reduce the discount of 18 cents from September for a scheduled end in December
", repeated Bruno Le Maire to
Les Échos
.
"
But we are aware of the reality of prices at the pump
," he said.
For gasoline and diesel, they now stand at more than two euros per litre.
An additional measure for large riders
On the other hand, the Minister of the Economy expressed his opposition to the measure, proposed by Les Républicains, to detax fuels, to reduce the price to 1.50 euros per liter.
“
With a price per liter today at 2.20 euros without a discount of 18 cents, this would represent an expenditure of 50 billion euros for the State, i.e. more than the budget of the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
And all this to subsidize fossil fuels!
“, he estimated.
Read alsoFuel discount: Bruno Le Maire asks for an “extra effort” from TotalEnergies
To the extension of the government rebate would be added a measure targeted at “
those forced to use their car to go to work
”, already mentioned by the executive, indicated Bruno Le Maire on CNews.
“
It is an additional device which, again, must be the subject of discussion with parliamentarians.
We want to support more the less well-off who are forced to take their car to get to work, employees, independent or work
-study professions ”, he developed in
Les Échos
.
