Gabriel Attal, a former prime minister and current presidential candidate, stated during an interview on BFMTV on Monday, September 21, that reducing fuel taxes is neither desirable nor possible at this time. While he acknowledged that lowering taxes could be a politically appealing strategy, he emphasized that France is currently facing severe financial constraints. Attal argued that the country's public finances are under significant pressure and that current tax policies often benefit those who may not need the support, such as high-income individuals or those who drive large vehicles like 4x4s. He suggested that tax relief should instead be focused on working individuals who rely on their cars for daily life and struggle to make ends meet. Attal criticized the fuel tax reduction proposals made by other presidential candidates, calling them misleading to the French public. He pointed out that France’s financial situation is different from that of its neighboring countries and warned that reducing fuel taxes could lead to a situation where people receive benefits only to have them taken away later through other means. He highlighted the potential risks of such policies, which could create financial instability by promising immediate relief while setting up future fiscal challenges. The French government is expected to announce new assistance measures on Tuesday aimed at helping those most affected by the recent rise in fuel prices. However, the government faces limited budgetary flexibility, and international financial constraints are expected to persist. This situation complicates the ability to provide broad-based relief without risking further strain on public finances. As the country grapples with these economic challenges, the debate over tax policy and its impact on different segments of the population remains a central issue in the presidential campaign.