Question 14839 — energy and fuels

Summary

Mr. Édouard Bénard questions the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty on the consequences of the explosion in energy costs for itinerant traders, as well as on the measures that the Government intends to take to allow non-sedentary traders and craftsmen to continue their professional activities. The outbreak of the military offensive Israeli-American against Iran, in violation of the most basic rules of international law, on February 28, 2026, caused a massive drop in hydrocarbon and gas exports from the Middle East. This situation is explained in particular by the double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of world oil exports pass. To this effective reduction in exports were added operations purely speculative financial transactions, which caused oil prices to jump, but also those of products already refined several months ago. The TotalEnergies group, which had notably bet on the outbreak of the conflict, saw its profits for the first quarter of 2026 increase by 51%. Like many employees who struggle to make ends meet, many professionals, forced to use thermal vehicles to work, are no longer able to maintain a sufficient operating margin to ensure the sustainability of their activities. If the Government has announced some sectoral measures in favor of certain sectors (home help, road hauliers, farmers, fishermen, construction companies using non-road diesel), as well as symbolic financial aid for certain employees, nothing is planned. this day for street traders. However, these bring life and liven up the markets of towns and villages. The increase in fuel prices is forcing many non-sedentary traders and artisans to drastically review their scope of activity to avoid becoming loss-making. Also, he asks the Minister to please clarify whether the Government intends to take concrete measures to reduce the bill. of fuel for street traders and beyond, for all French people, as proposed by the deputies of the Democratic and Republican Left group in their proposed law no. 2670. This aims to block the prices of gas and fuel, to regulate margins in times of crisis and also plans to reduce VAT on these energy products to 5.5%. Furthermore, a contribution from energy groups, which have made record profits since the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, now appears essential. Finally, the recurring episodes of explosion in energy prices in recent years once again raise the question of a public takeover of large energy operators operating in France, from production to distribution to users. Such a measure would make it possible to better control prices and supply energy sector of the country, today largely exposed to the speculative operations of private actors whose sole objective is to maximize their profits. He wants to know her intentions on this matter.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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