France is set to carry out a blitz of petrol station inspections this week after a sharp rise in fuel prices sparked political anger and fears that retailers could exploit tensions in the Middle East.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Sunday that the government would conduct “an exceptional plan of 500 inspections” at petrol stations across the country between Monday and Wednesday in order to prevent “unfair price increases at the pump”.
Writing on the social media platform X, the prime minister warned that the conflict in the Middle East must not be used as a justification for inflated prices.
“The war in the Middle East cannot be used as a pretext for excessive price increases at the pump,” he said.
The inspections will be carried out by France’s fraud prevention agency, the DGCCRF. According to Lecornu, the three-day operation represents “the equivalent of a full six months of the usual inspection plan”.
However, the announcement quickly drew criticism from opposition politicians, who argue that stronger measures may be needed to shield motorists.
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Fuel prices climb sharply
Fuel prices have been rising rapidly in France in recent days, fuelling concern among drivers and politicians alike.
The government said on Friday that SP95-E10 – the most widely used petrol grade in the country – had risen by 10 pence compared with the previous week, even before the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
For motorists, the increase is already noticeable. Filling a small car with a 50-litre tank now costs roughly £5 more than it did a week earlier.
Diesel prices have surged even more steeply. On Friday, the average price reached €1.98 per litre, up from around €1.72 on 27 February – a rise of 26 cent, or about 15 percent.
The jump has prompted sharp reactions from across the political spectrum, with several parties accusing fuel retailers of passing on costs too quickly or unjustifiably.
On X, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed, argued that a direct price freeze would be simpler. “Any increase in the current context is abusive,” he wrote, noting sarcastically that France has around 10,000 petrol stations – far more than the 500 set to be inspected.
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Opposition pushes tax cuts and price caps
Other opposition figures have focused on taxes as the key lever to ease pressure on households.
Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally has proposed cutting fuel taxes to offset rising costs. Her party has for years advocated reducing VAT on petrol, heating oil and gas from 20 percent to 5.5 percent.
The party’s president, Jordan Bardella, echoed the call on Monday, urging the government to reduce both VAT and excise duties on petroleum products – the domestic tax known as TICPE – if prices continue to surge.
Meanwhile Éric Coquerel, chairman of the National Assembly’s Finance Committee and also a member of France Unbowed, called on the government to “consider a price freeze” on petrol and to adjust excise duties if the situation drags on.
The government, however, has pushed back strongly against such proposals.
Energy minister Maud Bregeon said it would be “inconceivable” to reduce VAT or the TICPE, warning that such a move would leave a hole of nearly €20 billion in the state budget.
(with newswires)
