Macron's Anti-Crisis Measures Will Cost France $9.1-$11.4Bln - Minister Of State

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th December, 2018) The measures proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron to overcome the social and economic crisis in the country will cost 8-10 billion Euros ($9.1-$11.4 billion), French Minister of State for Public Action and Accounts Olivier Dussopt believes.

On Monday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an tv address to the nation that he declared a state of economic and social emergency in the country in response to the protests. He also asked the government to introduce a number of measures aimed at resolving the social and economic crisis in the country that provoked a wave of protest actions. In particular, Macron promised to increase the minimum wage, presented a measure of support for pensioners earning less than 2,000 euros per month, and asked the companies to pay an annual bonus to employees.

"Between 8 and 10 billion euros.

Now we are clarifying the exact amount in order to understand how we will finance these measures," Dussopt said, as quoted by Le Figaro newspaper.

He recalled that on Tuesday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe would present the measures proposed by the president, after then there would be an opportunity to clarify everything.

"The role of the president is to determine the course, and the role of the government is to implement it," Dussopt explained.

France has been facing a wave of mass protests since mid-November, when the so-called yellow vest protesters � named after the obligatory attribute of French drivers � took to the streets to rally against rising fuel prices and a planned hike in tax on diesel and carbon fuels.

The yellow vest rallies have been marked by violent clashes with police officers, who have used tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters.