Macron on security and fuel Budget and election choices

Sep 22

In Caroline Roux and Gilles Bouleau's Élysée interview, Emmanuel Macron denies that the CIA notified French intelligence of the reported seaborne Russian-drone attack scenario, while warning of increasing hostile acts and possible attacks on France. He describes strengthened protection of sensitive civilian, military and defense-industry sites, and avoids belligerent terminology. He calls a new Russian mobilization of about 300,000 men credible, citing intelligence and preparations, without establishing a completed call-up. His assessments of war deaths, Russian losses, territorial gains and the time needed to capture the Donbas remain his claims; he reiterates Ukraine support and briefly recalls additional radar and missile supplies. Macron recalls Monday discussions with Trump and Zelenskyy and renews a reciprocal energy/civilian-target moratorium and a Black Sea fighting moratorium to free grain. Challenged about Russian refusal, he distinguishes these from a frontline ceasefire. He says French diesel, gas and heating-oil volumes have been secured through year-end, qualifies confidence beyond that if the crisis worsens, describes reserves and a future 80-percent gas-storage target, and seeks Hormuz reopening through Iranian and Omani talks. He announces soldiers, radars and defense systems to protect Yanbu after what he describes as a Houthi attack; he presents this as defensive protection and leaves possible aircraft use dependent on developments. He proposes convening the G7 to consider coordinated strategic-reserve releases, warns that a U.S. diesel-export ban would harm global prices and the U.S. economy, and says he has no guarantee Trump will refrain. In the extended domestic debate, Macron prefers international action and targeted aid over general fuel-tax cuts, but leaves further measures, including tax reductions, open if conditions require. He defends past pandemic and energy-crisis spending and investment, accepts that social reforms were too slow and that he failed to persuade political parties, and contests the interviewers' criticism of his debt record. He describes TotalEnergies caps at €1.99 for gasoline and €2.15 for diesel. Bouleau contrasts the company's reported €300m cap cost over five months with €10bn net profits over six months; Macron favors caps while leaving excessive-margin and taxation debate open. He cites electricity-contract and electric-vehicle changes and urges continued electrification, without a new detailed program. He acknowledges understandable anger and sector-specific support, but argues that a generalized protest cannot resolve war-driven price rises and calls for unity. Asked about €54bn in proposed budget efforts, Macron defends the forthcoming budget as fair and responsible, with proportionate burdens and protection for vulnerable people, and says it is to be presented October 1. Bouleau calls the 2024 dissolution catastrophic; Macron defends it as returning the parliamentary choice to voters and describes coalition failures and a center-right relative majority. He argues another dissolution now would worsen instability, impede a budget and constrain his successor before the presidential election. He declines to decide now whether to endorse a presidential candidate, says he will act responsibly as circumstances develop, and emphasizes current duties. A closing brief previews welcoming the pope the next day; it does not establish a completed visit. The account retains claims, criticism, forecasts and schedules as aired.

At the September 22 public briefing with Zelenskyy in New York, a reporter asks Trump about lawmakers' calls for a temporary diesel-export ban. The visible English captions name Sullivan, Grassley and Rogers. Trump says he has also called for a restriction, while acknowledging possible effects on regular gasoline and the need to balance fuel flows. An official says a full or partial ban is being examined against overall refining capacity. A follow-up asks about a decision timeline; no implementing order or decision date is announced. The Ukrainian interpretation abbreviates parts of the original exchange. IRINN's September 24 commentary says diesel-price pressure is forcing Washington toward a ban and mentions drivers preparing protests. Its September 26 brief links the same contemplated restriction to Hormuz pressure and The Atlantic's forecast of greater Iranian regional power. These are attributed economic and geopolitical interpretations, without an implementing order or effective date. IRINN's September 28 brief adds a competing official position: it says the energy secretary ruled out the proposal as ineffective while Trump supports it. The bulletin does not date that original statement or demonstrate a settled government decision. It quotes Rick Crawford on supply-chain inflation, reports diesel at $6.54 per gallon and a 75-percent annual increase, while its later analysis gives a conflicting 150-percent annual increase. That analysis still describes a ban as under consideration and forecasts tensions with European customers. The two annual figures remain unreconciled broadcast claims; neither they nor the reported opposition establish an enacted export restriction. In the September 24 French interview, Macron says he warned Trump that a diesel-export restriction would raise world prices and damage the U.S. economy, but had no guarantee against it; he favors a coordinated reserve release. IRINN's September 25 commentary instead says high U.S. prices forced a halt in diesel exports and repeats Macron's warning, calling it evidence of Iranian leverage. That claimed halt remains an unverified broadcaster assertion: no implementing order or effective date is provided. These accounts do not resolve the different support, feasibility-review and reported secretary-opposition positions.