French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe says the country's planned fuel tax is now on hold, after weeks of large protests were mounted by people
French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe says the country’s planned fuel tax is now on hold, after weeks of large protests were mounted by people wearing yellow safety vests. In a live TV address, Philippe said, « No tax deserves to endanger the unity of the Nation. »
The retreat comes after anti-fuel-tax demonstrations devolved into a riot in Paris, with people looting stores, burning cars and spray-painting their messages on the Arc de Triomphe and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The fuel tax was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s environmental policy. But it is now suspended, after nearly a month of protests that resulted in four deaths.
Tallying the toll on France in his speech to the nation Tuesday, Philippe said, « Several hundred citizens, in particular members of the police forces, were injured.
