Paris relegated to warzone for third consecutive weekend amid fresh Yellow Vest rallies

Saturday, December 1, 2018
By Paul Martin

By ALEX KING
VoiceOfEurope.com
1 December 2018

Once again, French police have clashed with protester’s in France’s capital city amid rising anti-government sentiment fuelled by tax increases and fuel price hikes.

The December 1 rallies are being held with the slogan, “on the way to Macron’s resignation”. The police have resorted to using tear gas as stand-offs between law enforcement and the ‘gilets jaunes’ (yellow vests) continue around the iconic Arc de Triumph.

Earlier on Saturday morning, demonstrators also attempted to breach barricades blocking the path to the presidential palace, lighting fires, throwing rocks, and covering law enforcement officers with symbolic yellow paint.

France’s Interior Minister, Cristophe Castaner, tweeted that at least 1,500 “disruptors” were in the vicinity of the Champs-Élysées, adding that police have made at least 39 arrests.

However, police unions have estimated that over 30,000 people have been protesting across France, and in order to combat the unrest, an estimated 5,000 officers have been mobilised and 582 roadblocks have been erected.

Macron has admitted that he understands the frustration felt by country’s citizens over the fuel tax increase, which he says are “necessary” to improve France pro-environmental shift.

Macron has also promised three months of national talks on plans to transform France into a low-carbon economy without disadvantaging the least well-off in society.

On Friday, negotiations took place between Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, and two representatives from the protestors, but the two parties failed to reach an agreement.

Recent polls suggest that the protests have the backing of the majority of French citizens, showing roughly two-thirds backing the cause of the yellow vests.

The protests have also inspired similar rallies and protests in Belgium, where protesters have clashed with law enforcement officers while calling for the resignation of the country’s prime minister.

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