France extends fuel subsidies to shield consumers from skyrocketing energy prices

PARIS — The French government said Tuesday it would spend €450 million to extend fuel subsidies until the end of the year to help companies and workers affected by the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East. “We hear the concerns of the French people, which sometimes take the form of anger. These concerns and this anger are sincere, and we must address them. That is what we are doing today,” Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure told reporters Tuesday. The package includes a €0.15 per liter subsidy on non-road diesel for farmers and €0.20 per liter subsidy for construction company trucks. The government will also double the subsidy from €0.20 to €0.