French Government Defends Concessions To End Protest Crisis
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 11, 2018 | 09:03 PM
Emmanuel Macron's government on Tuesday defended a financial relief package to quell the "yellow vest" revolt over taxes and living standards, hoping to end protests which have spiralled into violence in Paris and other cities.
Over 21 million people watched a visibly contrite Macron declare a "state of economic and social emergency" in a televised address Monday, promising billions of Euros in aid for the lowest earners.
It was a stark retreat for the 40-year-old former investment banker, who until now had vigorously argued his tax policies and economic reforms were the only way to prepare France for the challenges of the 21st century.
The new measures, including a 100-euro jump in the minimum wage next year, are expected to cost up to 11 billion euros ($12.5 billion) -- and are likely to put France on a collision course with Brussels.
The government had already scrapped fuel tax increases set for January -- a core demand of the yellow vests -- which will cost a further 4.
5 billion euros.
The country's deficit is likely to exceed the EU's mandated 3.0 percent of GDP limit at least "temporarily," Richard Ferrand, the parliament president from Macron's Republic on the Move party, told RTL radio.
Having "a stable France" is the priority as the protests expose deep social divisions while taking a heavy economic toll, Ferrand said, adding: "We can't continue like this." Even so, the measures might not mollify enough protesters to call off road blockades and weekly demonstrations in Paris which have seen fierce clashes with police and extensive burning and looting over the past two Saturdays.
Although some "yellow vests" were open to Macron's olive branches, others said they were not ready to call a halt to the protests.
"Initially I thought Macron had heard us at least a bit, but when you look at the details, he hasn't at all," said Thomas Miralles, a yellow vest spokesman in the southern Pyrenees-Orientales department.
"I'll be in Paris on Saturday, for the first time," he added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Naqvi directs foolproof measures for protection of Chinese nationals
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
More Stories From World
-
5.0-magnitude quake hits Alaska Peninsula
6 minutes ago -
Foreign-invested firms in China up 20.7 percent in Q1: data
6 minutes ago -
China launches digital database of classic graphics
7 minutes ago -
Hindu nationalist Modi the favourite as India votes
7 minutes ago -
Two detained in Poland for attack on Navalny ally: Lithuania president
7 minutes ago -
International reactions after Israel's reported attack on Iran
7 minutes ago
-
Eight killed in overnight Russian strikes, as Ukraine downs bomber
8 minutes ago -
Indonesia on alert for more eruptions at remote volcano
17 minutes ago -
Tokyo's Nikkei drops over 1,000 points, most in 3 years
17 minutes ago -
Oil jumps, equities fall as Iran blasts fan MidEast fears
17 minutes ago -
Sodexo sees sales rise in 2024 as it gears up for Olympic meals
28 minutes ago -
Threatened by Russia, will the EU do enough to fund defence?
37 minutes ago