'Yellow Vests' Denounce Macron Speech As 'charade'
Faizan Hashmi Published December 11, 2018 | 02:07 PM
Groups of "yellow vest" protesters across France responded scathingly to the "crumbs" offered by President Emmanuel Macron in a speech intended to defuse their revolt, but others acknowledged his efforts.
Le Boulou, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Dec, 2018 ) :Groups of "yellow vest" protesters across France responded scathingly to the "crumbs" offered by President Emmanuel Macron in a speech intended to defuse their revolt, but others acknowledged his efforts.
"Nonsense," "a charade", "a bluff" and "a drop in the ocean," were among the immediate reactions that greeted the head of state's televised speech Monday evening announcing an increase in the minimum wage and a range of other financial measures.
At a roundabout in the southern town of Le Boulou, some 150 "yellow vests" gathered around a loudspeaker listened carefully to the president's words before starting to shout in chorus.
"He is trying to do a pirouette to land back on his feet but we can see that he isn't sincere, that it's all smoke and mirrors," said Jean-Marc, a car mechanic.
"It's just window dressing, for the media, some trivial measures, it almost seems like a provocation," said Thierry, 55, a bicycle mechanic who donned the yellow vest a fortnight ago.
"All this is cinema, it doesn't tackle the problems of substance," he told AFP before taking part in blocking the Boulou turnpike on the French-Spanish border.
"We're really wound up, we're going back to battle," he said.
Less than an hour after the presidential address, the A9 toll booth from Spain was completely paralysed, an AFP photographer said.
"Maybe if Macron had made this speech three weeks ago, it would have calmed the movement, but now it's too late," said Gaetan, 34, one of the "Rennes Lapins Jaunes" (Yellow Rabbits of Rennes). "For us, this speech is nonsense."
Recent Stories
Under training officers visit Special Branch Headquarters Roberts Club
Industries promotion can help eliminate unemployment : Sindh Minister for Indus ..
Step afoot to ensure durable peace in Balochistan: Ziuallah
PML-N office torching cases: ATC summons PTI leaders, others for indictment on M ..
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
CRBC tender to be floated by June; Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali ..
122 cases registered against accused involved in drug trafficking
Models, poster and quiz competition held at AIOU
Passco GM, deputy visit wheat procurement centers in Burewala
Non-Muslim Pakistanis enjoy freedom, state patronage: Kundi
Dengue Control Committee gathers in Jhang
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
More Stories From World
-
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
10 minutes ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
20 minutes ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
20 minutes ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
20 minutes ago -
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
1 hour ago -
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
1 hour ago
-
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
1 hour ago -
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
1 hour ago -
India's IndiGo to buy 30 A350 planes: Airbus
1 hour ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
1 hour ago -
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
2 hours ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
2 hours ago