Fuel prices: 3 out of 4 French people ask the State to lower taxes

As fuel prices rise, the French demand tax cuts. Since the price of gasoline is largely made up of taxes, the French believe this is the lever to activate. In the latest survey* “Live Opinion” by Elabe for BFMTV, 76% believe that the State should reduce them “even if this has the consequence of increasing public debt even more and this is contrary to the ecological transition.”

This measure is “favored by all categories of the population, in particular by daily drivers (81%), and supported mainly by all voters, including that of Emmanuel Macron (55%),” says Elabe.

The solutions proposed by the government, such as asking distributors to sell at a loss and then at cost price or even the 100-euro fuel check, will change almost nothing, the French believe.

Fuel control is not unanimous

78% of French people consider that selling at a loss is a bad solution, “a figure that is partly explained by the fear of an upward impact on food prices to compensate for this sale at a loss”, according to the institute of surveys.

And 55% believe that selling at cost price will not significantly improve the price of gasoline. On the contrary, 45% think that this measure will improve the situation.

Even the fuel control, which is aimed at less fortunate motorcyclists, is not to the liking of the French. 74% of French people believe that this aid will not significantly help those affected and 73% believe that this measure should be expanded to affect more people.

Finally, if the French, like Emmanuel Macron, say that they like cars (73%), 65% of motorists affirm that they would no longer use their car if they had another means of transport that offered them the same advantages.

Less positive for the climate, 35% continue to affirm that even if they had another means of transport that provided them with the same advantages as the car, they would continue using it.

The State found responsible

For the State, the sentence is severe. For a large majority of French people, the person primarily responsible for rising fuel prices It is none other than the State.

71% of them think yes, ahead of oil companies such as Totalenergies with 62% (two answers were possible). The geopolitical context (which is at the origin of the recent increase in oil prices) and mass distribution are far behind with 48% and 9%: “The hierarchy of responsibilities is generally identical between the different socio-professional categories and generations,” emphasizes Elabe.

Above all, the efforts made by the government to preserve the purchasing power of motorists are considered clearly insufficient. Thus, 56% of French people believe that the State has not made any effort in recent months while, on the contrary, 79% believe that the large distribution They made efforts (15% a lot and 64% a little). 53% even consider that oil tankers have also contributed to lowering prices (among them 11% a lot and 42% a little).