PARIS (dpa-AFX) – France wants to strengthen the purchasing power of the population in the crisis with further aid of around 20 billion euros. On Thursday in Paris, the new government discussed a package of measures with a further cap on electricity and gas prices, subsidies for working people when filling up, a rent cap and an increase in pensions and social benefits. The law on aid now has to pass parliament, where opposition calls for more support are expected.
France has already spent 23 billion euros in the fight against rising prices and the cost of living since 2021, mainly by capping electricity and gas tariffs for consumers, said Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire. Given these efforts, France has the lowest inflation in the world euro zonewhich is currently five percent on an annual average.
“The state does a lot, and the state is the taxpayer,” said Le Maire. However, companies are also required to support the population. Those who are able should now raise wages. In addition, companies that benefited financially from the current crisis should help the population immediately with their surpluses.
“Not everything is financially possible,” said the Economics Minister with a view to calls for even more extensive aid and with regard to national debt. The public finances reached a critical limit, the deficit and the debt would have to be reduced step by step, he emphasized./evs/DP/jha