Former president of the Court of Auditors and current member of the European Court of Auditors, Pierre Moscovici, opposes the reduction of fuel taxes demanded by the National Rally party. He believes that it would cost 1 billion euros per month and that it would send a counterproductive signal.
Pierre Moscovici’s warning comes at a time when the conflict in the Middle East is affecting the purchasing power of French households, particularly due to the soaring fuel prices. He emphasizes that France cannot afford general aid measures due to the state of degraded public finances.
He criticizes the proposals of France Unbowed (LFI) and the National Rally (RN). Moscovici states that reducing taxes would cost 1 billion euros per month and 12 billion euros per year, while encouraging the prolonged use of fossil fuels goes against long-term decarbonization goals.
Moscovici acknowledges that the Middle East crisis, by raising energy and fuel prices, is detrimental to the wallets of French citizens. He calculates potential financial losses for different household types based on consumption patterns.
According to the former Minister of Economy, the energy shield implemented from 2021 onwards, and strengthened after the start of the war in Ukraine in early 2022, has been a burden on France. He criticizes this energy tariff shield, established between 2021 and 2024, calling it a costly mistake that primarily benefited energy companies over French citizens.
Moscovici laments the consequences of this decision on public finances, hindering investment and reactivity. The cost of this energy shield, estimated at 36 billion euros in a report by the Court of Auditors published in March 2024, has had significant negative effects.
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