France: Fuel shortages caused by Gilets Jaunes will be over soon

Blockades are coming to an end and petrol stations will be fully operative in the coming days.

Fuel stations in many parts of France are struggling these days to provide a full service at their pumps as a result of the protest actions lead by the Gilets Jaunes movement. The situation, however, is expected to improve in the short-term after the police started to lift blockades at fuel tanks across the country. Up to 10 fuel depots haven been blockaded by the protestors so far.

Regional newspapers recently reported that several stations in South France were running out of fuel and that expected supplies were not delivered due to the blockades. Other fuel stations, around 40 in the North and 53 nationwide, were experiencing partial shortages for the same reason.

According to official sources, consumers do not have to panic since more blockades will be lifted over the coming days. The cost of petrol and diesel is also expected to fall due to favourable prices in the oil stock market.

Who are the Gilets Jaunes protestors?

The Mouvement des gilets jaunes or “yellow vests” movement is a protest group that began in France on Saturday 17 November 2018 to show their discontent with rising fuel prices and taxes.

The protest has attracted over 300,000 people across the country so far with the construction of barricades and roadblocks as their main actions. Yesterday there were still around 10.000 people blocking roads.