France Releases 10 Million Diesel Barrels to Lower Fuel Prices

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that France will release 10 million barrels of diesel from its strategic reserves to fuel distributors over the next three months. The government will issue a decree to provide the fuel at cost price, as the reserves were purchased before recent price surges. This measure aims to lower pump prices by an estimated 12 to 18 euro cents per liter in response to international energy market disruptions.

Lecornu stated that the diesel "was purchased before the surge in prices and will be made available at cost price." Alongside the fuel release, the Prime Minister indicated that electricity prices should remain stable throughout the winter and announced that energy payments for low-income households will be moved forward to January.

On broader policy matters, Lecornu outlined a goal to reduce the national budget deficit to 5% of GDP by 2027. He also committed to ongoing negotiations with protesting high school students regarding staffing shortages and the condition of educational facilities.