President Emmanuel Macron said he would “protect the weakest” that are impacted the most by the current crisis. The focus will be on supporting households and SMEs, starting with small businesses battling high energy costs. “We are going through numerous crises,” rfi quotes Macron’s France 2 televised interview. “To get through the storm, we must protect the weakest and we must push those who have more strength to do even better,” he said, aiming to strengthen France.

The measures taken to control rising energy costs at the end of last year helped France mitigate inflation, which is currently at 6%, while other countries exceed 10%. Small businesses with fewer than 10 employees with a turnover under EUR 2 million are eligible for the regulated electricity tariff, which has a 15% price increase cap for next year.

Photo: Paris center, November 2021. Credit: F2M