energy costs

French president calls for a sharp 10% reduction in the country’s energy use in coming months to avoid risk of rationing and cuts this winter.

The French goverrnment is to make a 100-euro payment to all those in earning a net monthly income of no more than 2,000 euros, representing around 38 million people, in a move prompted by soaring energy costs and, argue some observers, the threat of mass discontent six months before presidential and legislative elections.