The planned introduction of new low emission zones is now being questioned by several parties in the new government. There could be a delay in implementation, as well as a complete withdrawal of the order.
From health to the reform of the pension system. A wide range of issues were heavily debated during last April's French presidential election. Among them was the introduction of new environmental zones (abbreviated ZFE in French). As a cornerstone of clean air policy, these aim to gradually ban the oldest cars from urban areas based on the Certificat qualité de l'Air stickers. By 2024, the French government planned to introduce 44 more low emission zones across the country. Now that President Macron has lost his absolute majority according to the latest election results, he and his party (245 seats) may no longer have the necessary support for this. Indefinitely postponed, or even completely off the table, could be the plans for new environmental zones.
Already during the election campaign, the future of the French ZFE seemed to be threatened. On both sides of the political spectrum, they were always questioned. With the newly formed government, the actual chances for a successful introduction of new low emission zones are now even lower. Indeed, both the right-wing populist "Rassemblement National" (with 89 seats) and the "New Ecological and Social People's Union" (131 seats) criticise the measure. Although various solutions are proposed, all opposition forces do not want to give in to Macron's plans.
The right-wing populist politician Marine Le Pen has even called the further restriction of combustion engines in the big cities an "infamy". In her eyes, environmental zones are "lawless spaces" that should be abolished in any case, along with any driving ban. Even the Republicans, who with 61 MPs are considered a minority party, share this view and speak out against it. The introduction of new environmental zones could "lead us to the yellow waistcoats to the power of ten", states the conservative Xavier Bertrand. The fear of the republican wing of the French government is that these would trigger great social unrest.
A more moderate opinion, on the other hand, is held by the alliance of the French left parties. For the so-called "NUPES", the positive effects that this measure could have on the environment and air quality are clear. Nor are the environmental zones perceived as violations of citizens' rights to freedom of movement and mobility. According to NUPES, it is the possible negative repercussions on the economic and social conditions of the French that speak against Macron's plans. The increase in the number of low emission zones active in France, and the associated exclusion of petrol and diesel vehicles, would act as a "social bomb". ZFEs are therefore "socially discriminatory", according to various exponents of the left. For the NUPES to support Macron's idea, the existing environmental zoning system would have to change fundamentally for the first time. The left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon is in fact demanding that the ZFEs be abolished "in their current form".
Will the French president and his party succeed in implementing their plans regarding the introduction of new environmental zones? Given the divergent opinions within the government, this question remains unanswered for the time being. Many fear that new ZFEs may not come at all in the end. More likely, however, the political tensions could simply cause delays in the necessary legislative process. Admittedly, the creation of new low emission zones under the right conditions is still in the interest of citizens. However, with a significant pollution problem and levels of pollutants too often exceeding permissible levels, France needs to find a solution to this. Still, this could consist in the introduction of new numerous environmental zones.