French MPs vote to scrap low emission zones in major blow to Macron's net zero plans

Several MPs from Macron's Renaissance party voted alongside opposition parties from the right, with the final decision, 98-51, voting to scrap the zones.

Low emission zones have been common in France since 2019, which started with 15 of the most polluting cities across the country.

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At the start of this year, the ZFEs were rolled out to every urban area with a population of more than 150,000.

Alongside the emissions rules, any older cars registered before 1997 were banned from entering the zones.

Any car registered after 1997 needs one of six "Crit'Air" stickers, which denote the emissions output of the vehicle and allow it into certain areas.

The motion was originally put forward by the Deputy of the French National Assembly, Pierre Meurin, who represents National Rally, which is led by Marine Le Pen.

The move was also backed by French motoring organisations, who criticised the Government for imposing the tax on hard-pressed drivers.

Campaigner Alexandre Jardin celebrated the decision of the French National Assembly as he argued that "ecology has turned into a sport for the rich".

Speaking to the Le Figaro newspaper, he said: "Everyone played their part in the vote. The MPs voted either for the end of this nightmare, or they abstained.

"They were afraid of going back to their constituencies if they had voted against the abolition of the ZFEs."

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Members of the right-wing The Republicans party said the move would "free the French from stifling, punitive ecology".

However, the decision was criticised by members of the Green and Socialist parties, who voted in favour of keeping the environmental measures in place.

The French 40 millions d’automobilistes (40 million motorists) organisation described the zones as "discriminatory and anti-social".

Speaking to French media, Green Senator Anne Souyris said the decision to scrap the ZFEs would "kill hundreds of thousands of people".

Similarly, Socialist MP Gérard Leseul added that the vote would send a negative signal to the nation's pledge to tackle climate change.

Despite the landmark vote, Connexion France reports that the bill must still receive majority support in the Senate.

It could also be challenged by the Constitutional Council, which could lead to a lengthy process if the zones are to be axed.

Santé Publique France, a health agency, estimates that poor air quality could contribute to around 40,000 premature deaths every year.