France Faces Controversy Over Fuel Price Rise Linked to New Energy Policy

On November 29, Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure responded sharply to claims by Rassemblement national (RN) leader Jordan Bardella warning of impending fuel price hikes. Bardella's alert was tied to a recent decree concerning the sixth period of France's energy savings certificates (CEE) from 2026 to 2030, which raises the energy savings obligation by 27% to support ecological transition goals.

The decree, published on November 4, obligates energy suppliers to invest over 8 billion euros by 2026 into energy efficiency and decarbonization programs, targeting 1,050 TWh cumac annually and aiding households in energy poverty. Though Lescure denied the decree as a tax or surcharge, the Union Française des Industries Pétrolières (Ufip) estimates that compliance costs may cause fuel prices to increase by 4 to 6 cents per liter, adding onto a current 11 cent per liter charge from the CEE.

The RN cited a report from the Cour des comptes highlighting that energy suppliers tend to pass these costs directly to consumers, effectively functioning as an energy tax. In 2023, French households reportedly contributed around 164 euros through energy bills towards this policy, representing over 4% of total energy expenditures.

Lescure accused Bardella of either ignorance or deliberate misinformation regarding the economic impact of the decree, emphasizing the government's commitment to ecological measures without unfairly burdening consumers. The debate underscores tensions between France's green transition objectives and public concerns over living costs amid widening energy financial obligations.