2023-09-16 18:37:21
The government will authorize distributors to sell gasoline ” at a loss “ for a few months to allow them to “lower prices further”announces the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, in an interview posted online on Saturday September 16 on the website of the Parisian.
“With this unprecedented measure, we will have tangible results for the French, without subsidizing fuel”she promises, following recalling that selling at a loss has been prohibited by law since 1963.
The head of government did not accept the opposition’s proposals, which are calling for either a rebate like a year ago, or a reduction in gasoline taxation to deal with the surge in fuel prices, which have reached 2 euros per liter.
“Bringing the help of large industrialists”
“Everyone takes their part”underlines Elisabeth Borne, ensuring that it “it’s normal to involve large industrialists”while recalling that “the responsibility of the State is also to reduce its deficit and its debt”.
This announcement aroused the astonishment of Francis Pousse, president of the Mobilians professional union which represents 5,800 traditional service stations (excluding supermarkets) including 3,400 stations displaying the TotalEnergies brand. While TotalEnergies has already capped the price of fuel at 1.99 euros per liter in most of its stations, Mr. Pousse sees this new measure as a response to supermarkets, allowing them to ” to fight “ in this ultra-competitive market, while the market price “will soon exceed 1.99 euros”.
“We, gas station attendants, there is no question of selling at a loss”he declared to Agence France-presse, before adding: “My members live on 40, 50% or even more from the sale of fuel, so if they sell at a loss, I give them three months”. In an already very tight market, he recalls that the net margin of traditional stations is “1 to 2 cents” (per liter) in normal times.
Mr. Pousse also thinks “skeptical” as to the effect of this measure on purchasing power, because if the prices of suppliers of large stores continue to increase, they will not be able to “can’t afford to lose 15 cents on every liter of gasoline”. He is waiting “quick and firm commitments” of the government to protect its members from this “market deregulation”.
Elisabeth Borne “surprised” by the words of Fabien Roussel
Asked regarding the comments of the national secretary of the Communist Party, Fabien Roussel, who this week called on the French “to invade gas stations and supermarkets”Mme Borne see yours ” surprised “ by these declarations which are not “in his habits”.
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“I called him to tell him that it was a very bad message and that political leaders had to be very careful with their words in a context where there can be anger among some of our fellow citizens”she explains.
On the subject of purchasing power, the head of government rejects the proposal of the National Rally, which calls for the abolition of VAT on food products, calling on the far-right party to read “studies which have proven that going from 5.5% to 0% is often not reflected in prices”.
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