Ready for “the end of abundance”? The French and the French, it seems, will have to tighten their belts. In any case, this is what François Bayrou, of the Democratic Movement (MoDem), an ally of the government, recently affirmed. As Ouest-France explains, he spoke of “the end of recklessness”, caused by a “series of serious crises”, as well as “the most serious crisis that France has known since the war”. The former minister went further: he spoke of efforts, even “sacrifices”. Remarks that the Prime Minister wanted to qualify a little bit, as it is possible to read in the columns of Parisian. “It is not a question of promising blood and tears, but it is important that everyone is aware of the gravity of the moment”, declared the head of government. But what does this mean, very concretely, for the future?
In detail, continue our colleagues, the executive has multiplied the declarations and proposals relating to the energy emergency, to reassure the French as well as the French. It is a question of avoiding an English scenario, thus supports Olivier Véran, who refuses any sudden increase in prices. Across the Channel, prices have risen by 80%, he recalls.
The executive, through its spokesperson, also had to answer for certain controversies. One of the loudest concerns the potential ban on private jets, the use of which contributes to the climate crisis. “We want not one but a range of measures that are both effective for the climate and the least impact for the French. I pay great attention to the symbol and I know that the jet is a symbol”, first replied Olivier Véran, who did not fail to mention “barbecues” and “private swimming pools”. And he insisted that the debate not be reduced “to symbolic measures”.
Is the possibility of regulating private jets still on the table? Potentially, in theory, at the very least. “If I am told that it is effective and that it is a major pejorative on the daily life of the French…”, simply argued the minister, who still wants to beware of a “demago” effect, arguing that the ban jets, swimming pools or barbecues is either not effective or not sufficient. “What works is a mindset shift in how we use energy,” he said.
The other major issue not to be lost sight of, reminds Midi Libre, is that of the potential power cuts which await the French and the French this winter. A subject that the government spokesperson did not fail to address as well.
“We are doing everything so that there is no risk”, thus tried to reassure Olivier Véran, supported by Gabriel Attal, the Minister in charge of Action and Public Accounts. “We will continue to protect the purchasing power of the French by continuing the tariff shield,” he said.
“We will not be able to freeze the price of gas indefinitely”, admitted Olivier Véran, however. ‘will not increase as much as they should.
The fight against inflation, continues Midi Libre on its site, is also one of the subjects addressed by Olivier Véran during the interview granted to BFMTV. He had to bounce back on the recent declarations of Elisabeth Borne… which related to a possible taxation of super-profits. It is not, he made it clear, “a guarantee sent to Nupes”.
However, continued the former Minister of Health and Solidarity, companies will have to “contribute to the effort”. “Especially those that made a profit during the period,” he said.
