The French camp at gas stations and the government remain powerless

At many petrol stations in France, especially in the Paris and Lyon areas, drivers spent the entire night waiting for the tanker to arrive. The government threatens to take action against the strikers, but appears powerless.

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• Another day of fuel shortages at the stations plunges the French economy into crisis.
• Not only the French, but also a large part of the continent suffer the effects of the blockades of the refineries.
• Instead of speaking, the unions and the government are making accusations of unwillingness to end this crisis situation.

This is a real test for the French government. Observers agree that in the face of a wage strike that lasted over two weeks, leading to the blockade of refineries and fuel storage facilities, it was too late to mediate.

Unions in protest are demanding wage increases, knowing that TotalEnergies can afford it

Unions, particularly those representing the CGT, point out that TotalEnergies has accepted the government’s proposal to cut fuel prices in the period from September to December, which means a reduction in revenues of around € 1 billion.

But now, with workers demanding a 10 percent increase in wages due to high inflation, the company refuses to speak, proposing a meeting in early November in the first phase of the strike. Now there are further rifts, as some of the protesters at two refineries owned by Esso France of the ExxonMobil group have signed a wage agreement that takes into account the lower wage indexation levels.

Apparently, today (October 12) in the afternoon, talks of the striking representatives with the leadership of the concern are planned with the active participation of government representatives.

The French government does not have a strategy to solve the problem of blockages in refineries and fuel storage facilities

Last night, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne’s speech before the National Assembly was ridiculed by opposition MPs and silently silenced by representatives of the ruling camp.

However, the comments were very unfavorable, showing complete helplessness and lack of coordination of activities. On the one hand, there is the threat of unlocking access to refineries by force and the introduction of new workers capable of resuming production. On the other hand, we encourage union representatives to participate in a broad discussion forum. There are no concrete details.

The appointment of a government plenipotentiary is mandatory for the resolution of this emergency, which directly and indirectly affects tens of millions of citizens and all businesses in France.

Talks need to be closed quickly and positions closer together among TotalEnergies’ management, which earned over € 10 billion in the first half of the year and has funds to pay higher salaries. The unions expect a positive reaction, not to threaten with the use of national gendarmerie units to remove the blockades.

More than 35 percent of stations in France have no fuel. The worst situation is still in the Paris and Lyon area. In many places, the drivers spent the entire night at the station waiting for the tanker to arrive.

This condition lasts so long that it partially paralyzes international road transport. Fruit and vegetable suppliers from Spain are unable to transport. Traffic is restricted on the route from Southern Europe to Great Britain via the Channel Tunnel.

The trains are under siege. SNCF has introduced additional connections in the timetable because people cannot use cars.

The shortage of fuel disrupts international road transport in this part of the continent

The only winners are the owners of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, who, despite the limited range, can calmly await the end of the protest action. However, this is a fraction of the percentage of all cars.