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French National Assembly Votes to End Low-Emission Zones

The government warns that final ratification could trigger environmental setbacks alongside a potential €3 billion shortfall in EU climate funding.

Overview

  • On May 28, deputies approved an amendment to abolish zones à faibles émissions by 98 votes to 51, backed by Les Républicains, RN, LFI and some Macron-aligned MPs.
  • Introduced in 2019 under Macron’s Climate and Resilience law, ZFE limit Crit’Air 3 and older diesel and petrol vehicles in major urban areas to reduce fine particle emissions.
  • The Assembly rejected a government proposal to preserve ZFE in Paris and Lyon with local exemptions, marking a clear defeat for the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
  • Critics say ZFE unfairly penalize low-income households unable to upgrade to cleaner cars, while health experts warn that their repeal may harm air quality and public health.
  • The repeal must be confirmed in the full simplification bill after mid-June debates on more than 600 amendments and could face censure by the Constitutional Council.