French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced Tuesday that the government is suspending a controversial gas tax that roiled the country in widespread violence and chaos.
The government proposed a slew of new carbon taxes designed to wean consumers off fossil fuels and transfer to electric cars. But the price hikes triggered a wave of unrest unseen in recent decades.
Tuesday’s announcement represents a major reversal for President Emmanuel Macron’ government, which initially stood its ground. Critics are accusing the president of being out of touch with the plight of normal French citizens
French riot police closed popular tourist areas and fired tear gas as they tried to quell the chaos in the streets. At least 110 people were injured while protesters associated with the grassroots-driven demonstrations clashed with authorities and vandalized the Arc de Triomphe.
Paris police said at least 110 people over the weekend, including 20 police officers, were injured in the violent protests, which originated Saturday morning near the Arc de Triomphe and continued into the night.
The so-called Yellow Vest protests are unusual as none of them were sanctioned by the country’s powerful unions or politicians – and they are comprised of a mixture of right-wing and left-wing populist elements. None of this strife bodes well for Macron, whose approval rating is at dangerously low levels.
Only 26 percent of French people say they have confidence in the embattled president, according to a poll from Kantar Public, which surveyed 1,000 people in October. Macron’s approval ratings are below those of former French Preside
Much of the turmoil came after Macron enacted sky-high gas taxes to tackle what he believes could doom humanity within the next decade: global warming. But many French citizens see them as an example of the French president’s inability to understand the plight of the country’s working class.
The price of gas rose in January by 7.6 cents per liter in France and the price of diesel by 3.84 cents. To put that into perspective, 3.8 liters of fuel is equivalent to about 1 gallon of gasoline in the U.S. Europe is on the warpath against gas-powered vehicles.
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