On Tuesday, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, invited by BFMTV-RMC, criticized Marine Le Pen, who has regularly criticized the government regarding the revenues generated by the state in the midst of an energy crisis.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon accused Marine Le Pen on Tuesday, April 7 of “speculating” on the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, which is currently affecting France.
“The state is not profiting from the crisis, however, Marine Le Pen is speculating on the back of this crisis. She has been speculating politically since the early days of this energy crisis and it is extremely serious. The state never benefits from an oil crisis,” Maud Bregeon stated on BFMTV-RMC.
Asked about the surge in energy prices, Marine Le Pen had referred to the state as a “crisis profiteer” a few days ago, and also denounced “undue revenues.”
Since the start of the war against Iran triggered by the United States and Israel at the end of February, petrol prices have increased by at least 20 cents per liter, and diesel by 40 cents – more than half of which are taxes on these fuels.
However, the idea that the state is enriching itself at the expense of the French people is “an outrageous lie, a falsehood that some political parties are trying to impose in the debate,” the spokeswoman declared.
“Of course, there is an increase in revenues from VAT, as prices rise. But they are immediately offset by a decrease in consumption, by rising rates: borrowing becomes more expensive on the markets and it costs the state more money. Overall, the state is never a winner,” Maud Bregeon emphasized further.
On the 39th day of the war in Iran, and broadly in the Middle East, the situation does not seem to be improving. The Strait of Hormuz, a maritime passage through which 20% of the world’s oil flows, is still blocked by Tehran despite threats of strikes from Donald Trump.
“We are preparing for a scenario of calm, which is what we all hope for, and we are also preparing for a scenario of escalation in the Middle East, which would undoubtedly have more serious consequences on the global economy,” acknowledged Maud Bregeon, indicating that the French government is preparing for “all possible scenarios.”
