7.10.2026
The French government indicated that
it will make 10 million barrels of diesel from its strategic stocks available to fuel distributors for three months in an effort to lower prices at the pump.
“The diesel concerned was purchased before the surge in prices and will be made available at the cost price,” said Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
The measure, which will be implemented through a decree to be signed, is expected to “mechanically lower prices at the pump” by around “12 to 18 euro cents ($0.13-$0.20) per liter of diesel,” he said.
Lecornu added that he would meet fuel distributors at Matignon in the coming days to discuss implementation.
The announcement comes as France faces elevated fuel prices amid international energy market disruptions.
Lecornu also said the price of electricity should not increase this winter and announced that energy payments for lower-income households would be made “from January and no longer in spring.”
The prime minister said the government would continue dialogue with high school students involved in protests about staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate facilities, with talks to resume Thursday in schools.
He said the first government decisions responding to students’ demands would be presented “at the end of October.”
Lecornu reiterated his goal of reducing France’s public deficit to 5% of gross domestic product in 2027, after forecasting a deficit of 5.4% in 2026. AA