One crisis drives out the other. After having been focused for more than two years on the management of the Covid-19 epidemic, the executive finds itself faced with another priority challenge, in this return to school: the tensions on the energy system of France.
Quite a symbol, Emmanuel Macron is resuscitating a meeting format used on numerous occasions during the health crisis, by chairing, on Friday September 2, at the Elysée Palace, a defense council devoted for the first time to the subject of gas supply and in electricity. The opportunity for the Head of State to once again pose as a captain in the storm. Around the latter, the head of government Elisabeth Borne and a handful of ministers, including Bruno Le Maire (economy) or Agnès Pannier-Runacher (energy transition) will provide an update on this subject, presented by the Elysée, as “a vital interest for the country”. With a central question on the menu of the discussions: will France have enough energy to escape shortages, and thus “spend the winter”according to the formula now repeated by the macronists?
The situation is causing serious concern at the top of the state, due to the drop in gas flows from Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Especially since the situation will seriously deteriorate in the coming weeks: on Tuesday, the Russian giant Gazprom announced that it was going to completely suspend its gas deliveries to the French group Engie from Thursday 1is september. Tensions are also high on the electricity side, because only twenty-four of EDF’s fifty-six nuclear reactors are operating at the moment, in particular due to a corrosion problem.
In this context, the executive is trying to follow a crest line: prepare minds for a difficult situation in the months to come, with possible power cuts; and at the same time, reassure the French about the government’s ability to protect them.
Terminal: “The hour is serious”
A double speech sung by Elisabeth Borne, these last days. ” The situation is serious “, she warned, Monday, August 29, during a speech at the University of Medef. Before urging companies to take action to improve their energy sobriety, otherwise they would be the “first hits” by measures of “rationing” in the coming months. “Unfortunately we have to prepare for it”she warned, referring to possible “brutal gas cuts”with “serious economic and social consequences” at stake.
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