France Fuel Shortages Hit 11% of Stations as Diesel Nears Record €2.378 a Liter

3 articles · Updated · The Connexion · Sep 18

11% of French service stations were out of either petrol or diesel by 9 a.m. Friday, up from 9% on Wednesday evening and 10% on Thursday, with Grand Est the hardest hit at 16%.
€2.378-per-liter diesel prices and broader fuel shortages are being driven by Middle East tensions and the Strait of Hormuz blockade, a particular risk for France because it imports most of its diesel.
Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with leading presidential candidates at the Élysée as the government prepared to extend aid for high-mileage drivers and launch a broader support scheme from Oct. 1.
€15 billion is the government's estimate for Marine Le Pen's proposal to cut VAT on fuel, heating oil and gas to 5.5%, a measure ministers have rejected despite mounting pressure over "unbearable" prices.
Fishers who had blocked ports and a southern fuel depot lifted actions after reaching a deal with the government on Thursday, underscoring how the supply squeeze is spilling into wider social unrest.