“Don’t panic” is Emmanuel Macron’s watchword. As energy prices soar, pushed by inflation and the war in Ukraine, the French president wanted to reassure the French during a speech to the press after a meeting of the EU in Prague on Friday.
The President of the Republic made an announcement on the thorny issue of energy, while the government announced its “sobriety plan” the day before: the establishment of European financial solidarity. He also called on unions and employers to be “calm” about the strikes in the oil groups.
European solidarity
The leaders of the countries of the European Union thus decided in Prague to put in place “mechanisms” of “European financial solidarity” to deal together with the surge in energy prices linked to the war in Ukraine.
The European Commission “will work and take very concrete decisions in the coming days and weeks”, between now and the next European summit on October 20 and 21, he assured the press.
call for calm
“Don’t panic”, also launched Emmanuel Macron, calling for “calm” and “responsibility” about strikes in oil groups which have been causing serious fuel supply problems for several days.
“I know the concern that there is among many of our compatriots” about fuel. “I really want to have a message here (…) of a call for calm,” declared the President of the Republic. “I also call on everyone to take responsibility. (…) All wage demands are legitimate, but they must not prevent each other from living and being able to circulate,” he added.