France to suspend fuel tax increases after mass opposition protests, government says
- PM Edouard Philippe said the suspension will be accompanied by other measures aimed at calming two weeks of nationwide demonstrations
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced a suspension of fuel tax increases on Tuesday, a major U-turn in an effort to appease a protest movement that has radicalised and plunged Paris into chaos last weekend, French media reported.
In a televised announcement, Philippine said the planned increase, which has provoked violent riots, will be suspended for several months. He was also expected to announce other measures aimed at easing tensions, just three weeks after insisting the government would not change course and determined to slap the charge on French consumers.
“We have to give the French people a reason to come to their senses,” Philippe was quoted as saying earlier by Le Monde. “We will have a debate tomorrow at the national assembly, which will be followed by a vote, and then we will have a big debate on how we can devise measures to accompany the ecological transition. We must appease the situation for the French people.”
It’s unlikely Philippe’s announcement will put an end to the road blockades and demonstrations, with more possible protests this weekend in Paris.
On Tuesday, protesters kept blocking several fuel depots and many insisted their fight was not over.