Written by: Salma Al-Saqqa
French President Emmanuel Macron is heading on a three-day official tour to the Middle East, aiming to lower energy prices and secure vital supplies, in a step that comes in light of living pressures and rising gas and fuel prices that burden citizens and dominate current social protests.
Middle-class diplomacy and energy prices
The French President adopts a concept inspired by international politics known as middle-class diplomacy, where he focuses on linking international diplomatic discussions to the purchasing power of citizens and consumers. The current tour in the Gulf region aims to reduce bills related to gas and fuel, through discussions with regional partners to ensure market stability and meet the demands related to the cost of living that are being expressed in the street.
Securing supplies and launching strategic reserves
The visit seeks to secure strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz, alongside cooperation to regulate global energy markets. In a related context, the French President highlighted the G7 agreement reached to release part of the strategic petroleum reserve, as well as efforts to request the easing of European standards related to fuel production and import, with the aim of creating a rapid and tangible impact on the local market for the benefit of consumers.
Moves amidst political challenges
These external moves come at a time when the French administration is facing challenges on the domestic political front. The President continues to focus on achieving tangible and practical results that are directly reflected in the daily lives of citizens and fuel prices, considering these steps to be of vital importance to ensure that the needs of citizens are met under the current economic conditions.
