A second speech in a few days. Less than a week after a surprise press conference, Emmanuel Macron gave a long interview to France 2 and TF1 from the Elysée Palace, in which he notably mentioned the fuel crisis, for which he is banking on diplomacy but did not rule out a reduction in taxes if prices were to soar.
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The Head of State also spoke of the Russian threat which is growing in Europe: he denied the existence of a CIA alert on a possible Russian drone attack targeting the south of France, while considering it possible that France would be targeted by an attempted Russian attack, like that at Leipzig airport. Finally, he said he did not regret the policy of “whatever it takes” during Covid and ruled out a new dissolution of the National Assembly in the event of a blockage on the budget. Here's what to remember from his interview.
Emmanuel Macron warns of “a real threat” from Russia to France
Could a Russian attack take place on French soil? "Yes", affirmed Emmanuel Macron, bluntly, during the interview on TF1 and France 2. "Russia is increasing hostile acts on European countries", he clarified, citing in particular the failed attack by explosive drones in Leipzig in Germany. “If it had succeeded, there would have been deaths on German soil,” according to the head of state, who also recalled that Russia has been carrying out cyberattacks against France for several years.
“Russia considers that Europe is the strategic depth of Ukraine. We have been attacked by Russia for years.”
Emmanuel Macron, head of state
at France 2
However, Emmanuel Macron denied that the CIA had informed the French services of a possible imminent Russian attack in the south of France, contrary to allegations published in foreign media. “We can deny this information,” he said.
A new Russian mobilization of 300,000 men, “a scenario that seems credible to us”
“There are several indications which show that Russia is organizing itself for a new mobilization, to seek out young men to integrate them into the military forces to wage war,” said the head of state. According to him, a new Russian mobilization of 300,000 men is “a scenario that seems credible to us”.
The French president also spoke of Russian losses. He judges that the Kremlin is currently sending a signal that it is “ready to make even more sacrifices to take all of Donbass”. While recalling that the war left “1.2 million dead”.
French “military resources” sent to “protect” an energy site in Saudi Arabia
“The heart of our action will be to try to reduce tension in the Persian Gulf,” said the head of state, who announced the sending of “military resources” to protect the Yanbu site at the Red Sea, in Saudi Arabia. "This is the discussion that we have finalized with the Saudis. We are going to send military assets, that is to say soldiers, radars, defense systems to protect this site, not engage in any conflict."
This energy site is very important for global supply, and allows the transport of “several million barrels” of oil. “We are putting ourselves in a position to protect this site,” explained the head of state, who will bring together the G7 countries to release oil stocks.
“Act diplomatically” to lower fuel prices
How can we sustainably lower fuel prices which have been soaring for several weeks? “Today, we first want to act diplomatically,” said Emmanuel Macron. “The heart of our action is to reduce tension in the Persian Gulf.” Diplomatic efforts which could quickly bear fruit, according to the President of the Republic. “If things improve in the coming days, prices will drop quickly,” assured the head of state.
The Head of State was also reassuring regarding the quantities of fuel and gas available in France. “We will be at 80% full stocks in a few weeks. We will continue to secure these volumes,” he insisted.
A ban on American diesel exports would be a “bad” decision
A ban on exports of American diesel, as Donald Trump said he was in favor of, would be a “bad” decision, denounced Emmanuel Macron during his interview. “This decision would be bad, not just for the rest of the world. For the American economy too,” assured the French president, specifying: “I think that all the experts he has around him and all the American refiners can only tell him the same thing.”
It would be better to “lower prices” than “lower taxes” on fuel, according to the Head of State
No tax reduction in sight on fuel. “Over one month, reducing [taxes on fuel] by 20 cents is a billion euros that finance concrete expenditure by the State, regions, municipalities and Social Security,” explained Emmanuel Macron. The president believes that it would be better to “lower prices” – via diplomatic actions – rather than “lower taxes” on fuels.
"When you lower taxes, you help everyone. However, it is smarter to help those who need it the most. The government will do everything necessary, will be pragmatic. We will try to continue intelligent things."
Emmanuel Macron, head of state
at France 2
Emmanuel Macron also criticized the RN – without naming it – which proposes to lower taxes on fuel, a proposal which he describes as “budgetary demagoguery”, which would lead to unfunded expenditure. However, Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out lowering fuel taxes if the surge in prices continues.
Emmanuel Macron does not “regret at all whatever it costs” despite the increase in debt
Emmanuel Macron defended his record and the measures he put in place during Covid to revive the economy, then during the energy crisis to protect the French from the surge in gas and electricity. “No, I don’t regret the ‘whatever it takes’. When we did it, there wasn’t a political leader who didn’t say that we had to do it, not to help the restaurateurs,” he insisted.
The Head of State affirmed that the spending of the "last ten years" was broken down into "a third to protect the French from crises", "a third to prepare France for the future", and "a third because we have not reformed the social model enough". "I don't regret anything about the first two thirds. I regret not having been efficient and quick enough in the last one," he said, while recognizing his failure on the pension reform, which was ultimately suspended. “I take it personally. I did not succeed in convincing the political forces.
No new dissolution before the presidential election
The National Assembly will remain in place in the coming months. Emmanuel Macron has ruled out the idea of dissolution in the event of a blockage on the budget. “It would not be good for the country (...), eight months before the presidential election,” said the head of state. The President of the Republic, however, defended his choice to dissolve the National Assembly in 2024. "The first was done in conscience, it is my responsibility, after two years of relative majority, where I had not managed to convince to form a coalition. I handed over power to the French", he assumed.
“It’s normal that there is anger” in the country
