French President Emmanuel Macron overturned fuel tax hikes in an effort to appease the requests of a protest movement that wreaked havoc in Paris in the past two weeks, local media reported Tuesday.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced the suspension of a tax set to start on January 1, backtracking from the government’s previous warnings that it would not give in to the street violence staged by the “gilet jaunes” (or “yellow vests”) movement. Mr Philippe is also expected to announce additional measures aimed at easing tensions.
“We live in a delicate moment,” Mr Philippe said. “We all must succeed collectively.”
A meeting between Mr Philippe and representatives of the movement scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled after the “gilet jaunes” pulled out. Some of its members received death threats from hardliners within the group opposed to the idea of negotiating with the government.
Mr Philippe’s announcement is unlikely to put an end to demonstrations, which are expected to reignite this weekend in Paris.
Benjamin Cauchy, one of the leaders of the protests, said that the suspension is “a first step, but we will not settle for a crumb”.
Republican representative Bruno Retailleau dubbed the suspension “totally insufficient” and called for “repealing” of the tax, French media reported. Far-right leader of Rassemblement national Marine Le Pen called for new elections, saying that dissolving parliament would be the only honourable way to exit the crisis.
Mrs Le Pen also warned that Mr Macron could become the first president to give the order to open fire on his own people in 50 years.
Four people have died since the unrest began, including an 80-year-old woman who was hit by a tear gas canister while in her apartment.
Protesters also damaged several historic landmarks, including smashing some statues at the Arc de Triomphe. The statue of the Marianne – the symbol of the French republic at the entrance of the Arc de Triomphe – was smashed following Saturday’s protests.
The vandalism of one of France’s most revered monuments has left the French public in shock and alienated some public sympathy from the movement.