Ombudsman says energy insecurity is worsening in France
(MENAFN) Energy poverty in France is on the rise, with over a third of households struggling to pay their energy bills in the past year, a survey commissioned by the country’s energy ombudsman reveals. The report, released Tuesday, warns that as winter approaches, many families remain at risk of falling behind on payments.
According to the study, 36% of households had difficulty covering energy costs, while 35% reported living in cold homes last winter. Many respondents said they had adapted their daily routines to conserve power, including using appliances during off-peak hours, programming hot-water tanks, or adjusting heating schedules. About 85% of those surveyed said energy bills now account for a substantial portion of their budgets, marking the highest level since 2007.
The growing hardship comes amid broader economic instability and slow growth in France.
Efforts by the government to reduce deficits through deep spending cuts have sparked political controversy. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou resigned in September after losing a confidence vote over his 2026 budget, which proposed more than $46.5 billion in savings.
His successor, Sebastien Lecornu, initially stepped down citing the “absence of conditions necessary to govern” before being reappointed by President Emmanuel Macron. Lecornu has vowed to proceed with the budget, which includes $19.8 billion in cuts and $16.3 billion in new taxes, despite warnings that austerity measures could further strain households.
Large-scale protests and nationwide strikes erupted in September and October over the proposed spending reductions. Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed on Monday that President Macron is considering military action in Ukraine to distract from domestic social and economic challenges, and that he seeks to emulate historical leaders who opposed Russia, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Swedish King Charles XII.
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