TotalEnergies responds to criticism from Jean-Luc Mélenchon on refiner margins

Traditionally, companies attacked by politicians turn their backs. A milestone was reached this week, after a new exit from Jean-Luc Mélenchon targeting TotalEnergies. The oil group led by Patrick Pouyanné is the subject of regular and virulent criticism from the leader of LFI. The rise in fuel prices at the pump, due to the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, is fueling the debate. This time, in a post on And, of course, we want to make people believe that Total, for example, does not make profits in France…”, coming to support comments made by Michel-Édouard Leclerc treating refiners as “profiteers”!

This time, TotalEnergies decided to respond, opposing figures and facts to “we want to make people believe that”. The group, in a long tweet, explains that it will pay corporate tax in France in 2026 “given the expected results”. He recalls that his refining activities have been loss-making in six of the last ten years - which explains why he did not pay tax on profits, being in loss. Despite everything, the group “has maintained refining capacities in the territory (…) we are discovering its importance today”. Finally, he explains mobilizing the profits made all over the world to cap prices at the pump in France. A unique case in the world.