Emmanuel Macron to address French energy crisis and hybrid threats in joint television interview

Broadcast format and diplomatic agenda

French President Emmanuel Macron will appear in a live prime-time television interview on Thursday, 24 September 2026, broadcast simultaneously at 20:00 on TF1 and France 2. News anchors Gilles Bouleau of TF1 and Caroline Roux of France 2 will direct the questioning. The joint broadcast occurs seven months before the 2027 presidential election, which will conclude Macron's ten-year tenure at the Élysée Palace without the possibility of his reelection. Core discussion topics announced for the broadcast include the ongoing war in Ukraine, regional conflict in the Middle East, future diplomatic relations with the United States under Donald Trump, domestic fuel costs, and the 2027 state budget. The television appearance follows several days of high-level consultations on national defense and international energy supplies.

Hybrid defense and infrastructure protection

The broadcast follows a Friday conference at the Élysée Palace where Macron convened French political party leaders and prospective presidential candidates before holding a press briefing. Macron outlined a worsening security landscape across Europe following a recent attack on a Warsaw-bound train inside Ukraine. In response to these developments, the head of state announced preparations for a specialized protection plan to safeguard critical national infrastructure against drone incursions and cyber warfare operations. The initiative will specifically incorporate the most sensitive installations within France's defense industrial and technological base.

In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and France has intensified.

Macron defined his position ahead of the upcoming election as a constitutional guarantor of the vote, stating that this institutional duty precludes him from acting as a standard commentator on daily public affairs.

Energy costs and fuel supply diplomacy

Domestic economic pressure over rising living costs will be a central topic during the two-network broadcast. Average diesel prices in France reached nearly 2.40 euros per liter on Sunday, setting a record level as international supply channels experience disruption. The sustained fuel price surge began in late February 2026, driven by the war in Iran and resulting in domestic unrest. On Thursday, Mediterranean fishermen initiated protests that included blockading regional fuel depots to demonstrate against soaring operational expenses.

In response to supply vulnerabilities, Macron traveled to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on Sunday for bilateral discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Their talks focused on Canadian liquefied natural gas export initiatives aimed at securing long-term gas volumes and alternative fuel deliveries for France.

Budgetary constraints and Matignon meetings

The Élysée appearance occurs as the French government faces escalating pressure to expand financial subsidies despite narrow fiscal room. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu scheduled two working sessions at Matignon on Monday to evaluate fuel aid mechanisms and address purchasing power strains before the 2027 state budget is finalized. The executive seeks to navigate heavy dependency on imported fossil fuels while legislative negotiations on spending remain tight. During Thursday's broadcast, Macron plans to explain the direct connection between foreign military conflicts and domestic pump prices, urging the public to recognize the severity of the international environment.