France riots: Macron on STATE OF EMERGENCY brink as riots leave THREE dead and 133 injured
EMMANUEL Macron was today poised to declare a state of emergency across France as the nation’s most violent and bloody demonstrations for 50 years left THREE dead and more than 130 injured.
By JOE GAMP
Express.co.uk
Mon, Dec 3, 2018
Thousands of protesters took part in the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations targeting Mr Macron’s policies under the banner of the “Yellow Jacket” movement. The protests began on November 17 after Mr Macron hiked up fuel prices for environmental reasons. He had earlier eased taxes for the super-rich. Protestors blockaded roads and access to factories and shopping centres.
But the protests turned violent as broader criticism of the president’s economic agenda became the focus – with many calling for the besieged president to resign.
412 people were arrested in Paris following Saturday’s violence and 378 people were still in custody yesterday morning.
A total of 133 people suffered injuries during the latest round of demonstrations, including 23 police officers.
Police said three people have reportedly died since the demonstrations began two weeks ago.
Now, after the demonstrations were branded some of the “worst civil riots” since 1968, France is considering declaring a state of emergency.
On Sunday, as Mr Macron returned to the city, he demanded police clamp down on protestors, ordering Christopher Castaner, the Interior Minister, to “adapt the methods used for maintaining order”.
Mr Macron, who returned to the country after attending the G20 summit in Argentina on Sunday, is in the process of holding emergency meetings.
Mr Macron has asked the Ministry of the Interior to develop a policing plan to counter any further protests, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
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