In an embarrassing setback for President Nicolas Sarkozy, the high court rejected the law just days before it was due to come into force, saying that it containted too many exdemptions that unfairly placed the burden of the tax on a minority of cosnumers. Sarkozy has strongly defended the law, calling it a “revolutionary” contribution to fighting climate change.
In the amended law, the government says that it plans to maintain a tax of €17 per tonne, with compensation for households.
