France has hit the “tipping point” of a crisis and Emmanuel Macron has warned citizens they are are facing a tough winter amid the cost of living crisis as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Macron is facing severe protests as unions are calling for a national strike after the French President called on the public to make sacrifices by not being given pay rises to meet the soaring inflation prices.
As Vladimir Putin’s war continues Macron said on Wednesday that “freedom has a cost” and there could be more increases in energy costs which has also hit all other European countries.
Addressing his first cabinet meeting since the summer break, Macron said we are now at the end of an easy abundance of goods and “of a certain carefreeness” across the world.
He said that “freedom has a cost,” and he is urging the French to accept new measures.
He added, “The battles we have to fight … will only be won through our efforts.”
The French President admitted France was now at a “tipping point.”
The government are now faced with making decisions on energy price caps which are due to end in the coming months.
Ministers will also be faced with making the decision to continue with the fuel rebate which combined has helped to keep inflation lower than all other EU countries.
Following the cabinet meeting government spokesman Olivier Veran said the country cannot maintain the energy price caps forever, he added, that “there may be price increases.”
In July Macron said they are working on an “energy restraint plant” asking all citizens to “hunt for waste” by turning of electricity not being used.
However these comments has angered the public and Philippe Martinez, the head of the CGT labour union, told BFM TV protests will be called for to boost higher salaries.
Martinez said, “We will stand up against these new sacrifices,” and the union are calling for a national strike on 29 September.
Philippe Gosselin, an MP for the opposition conservative Les Republicains told Reuters, “Since the legislative elections, in fact, there has been no real direction.”
The former green candidate Yannick Jadot blasted, “Above all, it should be the end of denial, the end of inaction and also the end of impotence in the face of the lobbies.”
The leader of LFI Jean-Luc Mélenchon said, “There has never been abundance Mr. Macron, there has always been irresponsibility.
“When you are in a country where there are nine million poor people (…), to hear something like that is incredible.
“He [Macron} doesn’t realise how it can be hurtful to people.”
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