French Authorities Launch Petrol Price Checks: News Digest

France attempts to control the surge pricing of petrol and diesel at 500 petrol stations across France, the government are tightening rules around modified scooters and Macron visits Cyprus amid political and war tensions in the region. Here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

French Authorities Launch Petrol Price Checks

In response to the global surge in oil costs linked to recent attacks in the Middle East, French authorities will carry out spot checks at 500 petrol stations between March 9-11, to ensure fuel prices haven’t surged excessively. 

These visits, conducted by the direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes(DGCCRF), France’s consumer fraud unit, hope to prevent stations from unfairly raising their prices of petrol and diesel.

Government Cracks Down on Modified Scooters

France has begun new inspection tests for small scooters and mopeds to detect illegal modifications that let them exceed the legal 45km/h speed limit. These vehicles, known as 50cc scooters, are designed to be low-power bikes commonly used by teenagers and urban riders. 

Many scooters remove the factory speed limiter (known as débridage) to make them faster and go over the legal limit. Beginning 1 March, technical inspection centres must check that these scooters cannot exceed the legal limit and must be returned to their original specifications in order to pass the inspection.

These vehicles must undergo testing every three years once they are five years old, and drivers could with modified scooters risk a €135 fine.

Macron Visits Cyprus Amid Maritime Tensions

President Emmanuel Macron visited Cyprus this week to discuss regional security in response to rising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. During his trip, he met Cypriot leaders and emphasised cooperation to protect the island and nearby maritime routes after recent drone and missile threats.

Macron announced that France would strengthen its military presence in the region, including a planned visit by the French aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’ as a show of support for Cyprus and stability in the region. 

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