In France, the state will pay for part of the gasoline when refueling | News from Germany about Europe

In France, the state intends to support citizens whose expenses for gasoline or diesel fuel have increased significantly due to rising prices. From April 1, for 4 months, drivers at gas stations will be compensated at the expense of the budget by 15 cents per liter of fuel of any type. This was stated by French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Saturday, March 12, in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper.

Now the average price per liter of gasoline in France exceeds two euros, and, according to Castex, this situation will not change in the near future. It is reported that this is not a tax cut, but a discount. It will be made to drivers at a gas station, and subsequently the state will compensate their owners for the costs, explained Castex.

Budget burden – 2 billion euros

This measure will cost the state budget two billion euros, the French government has calculated. The Prime Minister called on the oil concerns to also contribute to the financial relief of the French and make additional discounts. “If the state tries and pays 15 cents each, and the concerns – five each, then 20 cents will end up in the pocket of the French,” Castex stressed.

In less than a month, France will hold presidential elections.

Greens in Germany call for ‘energy payments’

Meanwhile, in Germany, Green Party co-chairman Ricarda Lang, amid rising electricity and food prices, has demanded an early introduction of so-called “energy payments” in order to reduce the financial burden on citizens. “Many people are suffering from rising prices – using heating, at a gas station or in a supermarket,” she recalled in an interview with Bild am Sonntag on 13 March.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner also spoke in favor of reducing the financial burden on German residents. “Because of the liberal minister has never had to refuse to reduce the load,” – said Lindner, representing the Free Democratic Party. According to him, one billion euros will be allocated for this purpose by July 1, if the federal states support the government’s initiative to reduce income tax and electricity prices. “It will be possible to talk with me about further measures,” Lindner added.

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How the UK ran out of gas
Gas stations in the UK today look like this…
You will not envy British drivers now. After all, if they need to replenish the tank, they find themselves in one of two possible situations. Option one: a giant line at the gas station, where you can stand for several hours.

How the UK ran out of gas
…or so
Option two: there is not a single living soul at the gas station. Because there is no diesel or gasoline there either. Like this gas station in west London.

How the UK ran out of gas
Chaos and purchases for the future
Chaos reigns at many gas stations, the patience of drivers is at the limit. Often they have to stand in line for several hours, only to hear later that the last available gas has just run out. Is it any wonder that such situations lead to conflicts, sometimes even fights?

How the UK ran out of gas
The goal is so close – and so far
This line of cars in front of a gas station in Ashford, Kent, has more than 100 cars. Meanwhile, the British media show dramatic footage. For example, how a certain driver threatens his “rival” with a knife. Other scenes make you smile. So, one woman emptied a bottle of drinking water at a gas station and filled it with gasoline.

How the UK ran out of gas
By water? No – for gasoline!
Other drivers are showing similar ingenuity. Sometimes it seems that the British use any container that can be filled with fuel. I wonder how this man is going to wedge himself in line at the gas station?

How the UK ran out of gas
At least someone here is in a good mood
This driver on the M3 in west London seems to be in a great mood. But most other drivers in the UK do not. Some people need a car to get to work. Therefore, there is already a discussion in the country about the right of representatives of certain professions – for example, doctors – to priority care. At some gas stations, this rule is already in effect.

How the UK ran out of gas
Limited volume of sale of gasoline in “one hand”
Sometimes you can see how police cars drive up to the gas station, skirting the general queue. Law enforcement officers can be understood: it would not be easy for them to get to the place of the call on foot. Some gas stations sell no more than a certain amount of fuel per customer. For example, at this gas station you can fill in gasoline or diesel for only 30 pounds (35 euros).

How the UK ran out of gas
Sorry, doesn’t work
In some regions, according to the British Association of Gas Stations PRA, up to 90% of gas stations are empty. At the same time, according to the operators of filling stations Shell, BP and Esso, British refineries have enough fuel reserves. The reason for the shortage is the lack of truck drivers, which makes it impossible to supply the necessary volumes of fuel from fuel companies to gas stations.

How the UK ran out of gas
The reason for the shortage is the lack of truck drivers
According to the Road Haulage Association, the UK is currently short of about 100,000 truck drivers. One of the main reasons for this is Brexit, because many drivers went to their homeland, to the EU countries, and never returned to the United Kingdom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How the UK ran out of gas
Brexit and coronavirus
Some logistics firms from continental Europe are no longer delivering goods to the UK due to Brexit. Meanwhile, due to the pandemic, exams in the truck driver training courses were not held in the kingdom in a timely manner. For its part, the government of the United Kingdom argues that the main reason for the “gasoline crisis” is panic among the population and purchases for the future.

How the UK ran out of gas
Assistance to military and foreign drivers
To cope with the crisis, the UK government ordered the use of the military to deliver fuel to gas stations. In addition, army driving instructors will assist in arranging for the C-tests to be taken on extra days. At the same time, London wants to issue 5,000 visas to foreign drivers to avoid a logistical collapse before Christmas.

How the UK ran out of gas
Sorry for the lack of fuel
Soon these posters at gas stations should disappear again. The first foreign drivers who have received a visa under a simplified scheme will be able to start working in Britain in October. However, this visa is scheduled to expire on Christmas Eve. Whether this temporary measure will help overcome the shortage of gasoline in the country in the long term is not clear.

How the UK ran out of gas
Hooray! Enough for me!
This woman is as happy as if she won the lottery. Reason: The tank of the car is full again. Now the main thing: to save fuel.

How the UK ran out of gas
Solution to the problem
Subtle English humor? No, saving ingenuity. When the car refuses to go further because of an empty tank, you can simply change into a saddle – or onto a wagon.
Author: Marco Müller, Elena Gunkel