French PM To Detail Macron's Measures To Appease 'yellow Vests'

The French government will Tuesday try to convince lawmakers and the public that President Emmanuel Macron's speech met the demands of the "yellow vest" movement, even as many demonstrators said they were disappointed and vowed to press on with their protest.

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Dec, 2018 ) :The French government will Tuesday try to convince lawmakers and the public that President Emmanuel Macron's speech met the demands of the "yellow vest" movement, even as many demonstrators said they were disappointed and vowed to press on with their protest.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will detail for MPs the measures unveiled Monday in Macron's televised address to the nation seeking to defuse the revolt that has triggered violent protests across the country.

Just after the president's speech, many protestors announced their determination to continue their blockades and called for a "fifth act" throughout France on Saturday.

It would be the fifth consecutive Saturday of national protests since the movement started on November 17.

The protests, which have seen rioting in Paris and other cities and taken a heavy financial toll, are the biggest challenge for Macron since the former investment banker came to power in May 2017 promising to revitalise the economy.

Since then his popularity has fallen with critics saying he favours the rich and alienates people struggling, especially in provincial France.

Speaking before the National Assembly, the prime minister is expected to outline Tuesday the main measures announced by Macron: a 100 euro ($113) increase in the minimum wage and rolling back most of an unpopular increase in taxes on pensioners which were introduced by his government.

It is not yet clear how the measures will be financed.

Macron will meet Tuesday with representatives of the banking sector and the following day with big companies to ask them to "participate in the collective effort", probably through tax measures.

The social measures announced Monday will cost "between eight and 10 billion (Euros), we are in the process of clarifying it, to see also how we will finance it," said Olivier Dussopt, secretary of state to the ministry of public accounts.