French right-wing MPs propose parliamentary inquiry into fuel price rises and state aid effectiveness

Dozens of French right-wing MPs have signed a text calling for a parliamentary inquiry into rising fuel prices, aiming to identify potential profiteers and assess the effectiveness of state aid, according to France Inter on Monday 18 May.

The initiative, led by Les Républicains MP Antoine Vermorel-Marques, comes as the government is set to unveil additional aid measures on Thursday. Vermorel-Marques said he has "comme un doute légitime" and suspects that fuel price increases since March may have benefited some actors. "Il y a clairement eu en début de crise un effet spéculatif," he said. "On constate aujourd'hui qu'il y a des interrogations sur les marges et cela m'intéresse de savoir si certains s'enrichissent sur le dos des Français." He added: "Si c'est le cas, il faut qu'il sache que l'on va les pointer du doigt."

The inquiry would also evaluate the impact of state aid, including the 2022 fuel rebates that cost 8 billion euros. "Sans aucune évaluation," Vermorel-Marques said, expressing surprise "que dans un pays, au XXIᵉ siècle, on puisse lâcher des milliards comme ça, sans regarder si cela a été utile, si cela a été efficace." He questioned: "À qui ça a été ? Est-ce que ça a vraiment été aux consommateurs ou est-ce que ça a été à d'autres acteurs ?"

Two-thirds of LR deputies have signed the text, enough to launch the inquiry as early as June. The inquiry is expected to last six months, with a report due in autumn during budget debates. Vermorel-Marques said the report could have fiscal consequences in the 2027 budget to "rendre l'argent aux Français." He described the timeline as ideal, adding: "C'est aussi une manière de mettre la pression sur tous les distributeurs, les raffineurs, pour leur dire : on remettra notre rapport au moment du budget 2027."

The demand follows recent calls by Laurent Wauquiez for the government to return all extra fuel tax revenue to motorists, and the government's consideration of easing Macron bonus rules to help workers with fuel costs.