MACRON RIOTS: Paris chief demands END to protests – ‘France is being TORN APART’
THE head of the wider Paris region Valérie Pécresse on Monday called on France’s “yellow vests” to stop protesting, saying that the citizen-led movement had been infiltrated by violent thugs who were trying to rip the Republic to shreds.
By ROMINA MCGUINNESS
Express.co.uk
Tue, Dec 11, 2018
Paris could face a fifth Saturday of violent unrest if France’s “yellow vests” seek further concessions from the government, which has struggled to contain the anger on the streets. She said: “The situation is very serious. France is on the brink of being torn apart and the three pillars of the Republic are under threat: the rule of law, consent to taxation and national cohesion. I am telling the ‘yellow vests’ this: please stop calling for new protests, because we can see that your movement has been hijacked by casseurs (vandals), looters and violent extremists.”
In reference to Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire’s claim the rolling protests were a “catastrophe for the economy”, she added” “We cannot tarnish France’s image, because it will always be at the expense of the poor and of those who desperately need work.”
The “yellow vest” protest movement – so called because of the fluorescent jackets all French motorists keep in their cars – began last month as opposition to a carbon tax designed to curb climate change but has since morphed into an angry rebuke of President Emmanuel Macron’s arrogant style and economic policies.
The 40-year old centrist is under intense pressure to avoid a fifth Saturday of unrest after successive weekends of violent riots in Paris and other big cities that have seen 4,523 arrests and shaved 0.1 per cent off GDP growth.
Mr Macron on Monday night declared a “state of social and economic emergency,” as he offered a string of generous concessions to quell the citizen revolt that has undermined his authority.
The Rest…HERE
