French transport operators are protesting high fuel prices by blocking access to Paris and disrupting traffic on the city’s ring road.
Fuel Price Protests Disrupt Paris Traffic
French carriers began protests Monday on the Paris ring road, slowing traffic in response to rising fuel costs and what they deem insufficient government action.
Trucks and buses participated in the slow-moving demonstration, with vehicles sounding their horns as they approached the ring road. Traffic congestion began to build on the southern section of the route around noon.
OTRE Calls for Greater Government Support
The European Organization of Road Transport (OTRE) initiated the protest, arguing that current government aid is inadequate. The government has pledged approximately 50 million euros to support small and medium-sized transport companies and micro-enterprises, offering an equivalent of 20 euro cents per liter of fuel.
Sarah Behezre, a representative of the Federation of Independent Coach Operators, stated that support equivalent to 50 euro cents per liter is needed to prevent bankruptcies.
Government Rejects Fuel Price Reduction
OTRE is demanding government measures to lower fuel prices at gas stations, but the government does not plan to take such action. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stated that the current situation differs from that following the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to the state of the national budget.
Protests Expand Beyond Paris
OTRE’s Alexis Gibergues described the current crisis as unprecedented and criticized the government’s response as delayed. Initial protest actions over the weekend included blockades in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand.
Further protests are planned in the Ile-de-France region around Paris, with other regions joining from Tuesday. Some organizations have announced plans to continue protesting until the end of the week.
Diesel Prices Surge Following Iran Tensions
On Monday, the average price of diesel fuel, the most popular fuel in France, was 2.23 euros per liter at gas stations, up from 1.72 euros per liter on February 27th. The price increase followed USA and Israel’s strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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