The Prime Minister promises a deduction of 15 centimes per liter from next month. "The problem is that no one knows to date what the price of fuel will be on April 1," laments Michel Fournier.
The discount of 15 cents per liter of fuel from April 1, announced on Saturday March 12, by Prime Minister Jean Castex , "has the merit of existing" but "is not the best solution" , reacted on franceinfo Michel Fournier, president of the Association of Rural Mayors of France (AMRF).
"In rural areas, we have no choice"
“The problem that there will be is that no one knows to date what the price of fuel will be on April 1,” laments Michel Fournier. "Because if the fuel is at 2.50€/L or 2.60€/L on April 1, we will still arrive at a fuel at 2.35€/L", warns the mayor of Voivres (Vosges).
The president of the AMRF asks the government to "think about a specific look for rural territories. I call on Jean Castex to think about it." In rural areas, we have no choice, we are obliged to take the car” , justifies the chosen one.
"I've heard people say to me 'But me, if it's like that, I'm not going to work anymore, I couldn't'".
Michael Fournierat franceinfo
With this measure valued at two billion euros, the government "realizes that fuel is necessary", welcomes Michel Fournier. The elected official believes, however, that "the two billion euros in question are not really lost. They were won with the percentage of VAT linked to the increase. It is a white operation" , deduces the president of the Association of Rural Mayors.
Lower VAT
The AMRF proposes in particular to lower the VAT on fuels to 5.5% to lower prices at the pump. "We can submit a few ideas, for example limiting VAT to a certain level in relation to the basic price, because the more the basic price increases, the more the percentage - which remains the same - allows additional revenue", explains Michel Fournier.
"We also know that oil tankers have the obligation to reserve for several months. It is these reserves, bought when the barrel was much cheaper, that we use today, so there can also be a reflection at this level", adds the chosen one.