Budget Minister David Amiel said the government will not implement across-the-board tax cuts to lower fuel costs, citing the risk of future generalized tax increases. President Emmanuel Macron is managing a swelling budget deficit ahead of next year's presidential elections, leaving few options to provide financial relief to motorists facing historic pump costs.

Fuel prices reached record highs with diesel averaging €2.38 per liter, and government data shows 11% of French gas stations are without petrol or diesel. Scope Ratings downgraded France's credit score on Friday due to a deterioration in the fiscal outlook, while shortages have reached 16% of stations in the Grand Est region.