Bordeaux. Rise in fuel: “I’m more afraid of Poutine than of the price of gasoline…” – Sud Ouest

At the wheel of her city car, she waits patiently for a place to become free at the pump, to go in turn “to the scaffold”, as she says. “I’m going to fill up to anticipate the next increases, to be more comfortable. “Result: 95 euros. “In twenty-two years of driving, it’s a first”, plague the Bordelaise, speechless. “95 euros. Mash potatoes. »

“Europeans, we must make an effort”

Behind her, a crowd of vehicles are queuing to refuel at the station: like everywhere in recent days, a price promotion operation is attracting people. Barely got back in her car, Emmanuelle honked her horn. A heavy atmosphere, fueled by the frustration of waiting, prices, and of course the geopolitical context. “I’m more afraid of Putin than the price of gasoline,” says Jean-Pierre. Cap screwed on the skull, the retiree is not yet afraid for his wallet. “I’m afraid to see war here, in France. Faced with this, the fuel is secondary. »

On February 23, the eve of the Russian dictator’s declaration of war, a barrel of oil was at 97 US dollars. It rose today March 5 to 118 dollars. “I put in 30 litres, and not one more”, announces Jean-Pierre, his gaze fixed on the counter. “It’s been some time since I heard the click of the pourer to prevent the tank from overflowing. And yet, I am not the most to be pitied. »

“It’s been some time since I heard the click of the pourer to prevent the tank from overflowing. And yet, I am not the most to be pitied”

Between the smell of gasoline and the exhaust pipes, there is Annette. La Bordelaise sees the price increase as a sacrifice to be made. “As Europeans, we will have to make an effort. The economic sanctions against Russia have a cost which rests on the citizens. So I have to pay a little more, even if I can’t always afford it,” she says, resilient.

“We leave the Covid to go to war”

Frédéric and Nicole are also “in solidarity”. After their visit to the pump, this retired couple will buy hygiene products to give to Ukrainian refugees in Floirac. “In all this slump, we are not the most affected,” says Frédéric, behind his red glasses. “Obviously the price of gas has an impact on our daily lives. But our situation is good, and we use our vehicle little, ”abounds Nicole.

The financial effort, some just can’t do it. “Today, I put in €10.50. I have to, if I want to finish the month”, breathes Cécile, home help. Accompanied by her daughter, the thirties details her daily life: “I end each month with empty pockets. We eat pasta, we manage. Not so long ago, I demonstrated for purchasing power, and against rising fuel prices. It’s a bit depressing…” Her job, however, pushes her to use her vehicle several times a day. “My employer reimburses 10 centimes per kilometer. I hope this package will evolve with the price at the pump. »

“Today, I put in €10.50. I have to, if I want to end the month”

Nellie is a nurse. “We leave the Covid to go to war”, she breathes sadly. Despite the armed conflict and the economic crisis, it does not forget the environment. “I use a diesel. I know that I pollute more than the others, but I can’t afford to change vehicles. So to consume less, I never travel for a single task. I try to do my part for the planet. »

In such anxiety-provoking situations, it’s hard not to see the glass half empty. “I feel privileged,” says Saphy, director of a beauty salon. “In the culture of the moment, I think we often do too much, for everything. Yes, we pay more for our gasoline. But France is not at war. We are happy about that. »