Leclerc Admits 30‑Cent Fuel Cut Won’t Happen as France’s Pump Prices Top €2

Overview

• Michel‑Edouard Leclerc said he “pleads guilty” for promising about €0.30 per litre off at the pump, conceding the cut was derailed by oil market volatility tied to the Middle East war.
• Diesel averaged €2.084 per litre on March 20 in France, up 36 cents since February 27, with SP95‑E10 at €1.936, according to prices reported by roughly 9,600 stations.
• About 2,500 independent stations began an “Opération transparence” to display price breakdowns highlighting the weight of taxes, while government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said fuel tax cuts are not under consideration.
• A Shell site on the A16 near Étaples posted diesel at €2.72 per litre and is listed for DGCCRF price review on the official government platform.
• Knock‑on effects intensified as police probed fuel thefts including 700 litres siphoned and resold on Snapchat, and road hauliers warned of cash‑flow strain and pushed for relief such as a diesel price floor, with debate growing over a temporary suspension of energy‑savings certificate costs worth about €0.16–€0.17 per litre.