Macron the Cash Cow

On September 18, Emmanuel Macron convened leaders of the main political forces at the Élysée Palace to discuss international tensions, the war in Ukraine, Russian threats, the crisis in the Middle East, and their impact on energy prices. In his remarks, he specifically addressed the Strait of Hormuz and the risks to supply chains. It is against this backdrop that "Macron, la pompe à fric" (Macron the Cash Cow) emerges—a satirical song that contrasts these geopolitical issues with a far more mundane reality: the price of fuel at the pump.

With a deliberately caustic tone, the lyrics highlight the tax burden on gasoline prices, specifically citing the TICPE (domestic consumption tax on energy products) and VAT. The song also underscores the reliance on cars in areas where alternatives are scarce, as well as the disconnect between rhetoric regarding the energy transition and the concrete constraints of daily life. The phrasing is intentionally provocative and exaggerated—befitting the song’s satirical style—to spotlight the growing feeling that filling up the tank is becoming increasingly hard to bear.

Beyond mere provocation, "Macron, la pompe à fric" aims primarily to raise questions. What role should taxation play in fuel prices? How can we reconcile the energy transition, purchasing power, and car dependency? And how much sacrifice can reasonably be asked of those who have no real alternative for getting around? The song is not intended to cast blame, but rather to prompt reflection, spark debate, and—why not—allow these issues to be addressed with a touch of irony.