About 100 thousand people protested on the streets throughout France this past weekend. „Yellow vests” do not give up. Several roads and access to industrial zones are still blocked. Tomorrow, President Emmanuel Macron will present the so-called „social pact” which is the authorities’ response to the protests.
Western media openly say that the problem in France is not just a fuel tax. It was the direct reason for the protests, but not the only source of dissatisfaction among the French. Even Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy, admitted on Sunday that „the current crisis goes far beyond the issue of fuel„. He added that it is important to „pay better for work” to raise the standard of living.
In turn, the president himself has not yet referred to the postulates of the protesters. In the social media, he condemned the acts of violence that occurred during the weekend on the Champs Elysees. He also thanked the police for courage and professionalism.
Merci à nos forces de l’ordre pour leur courage et leur professionnalisme. Honte à ceux qui les ont agressées. Honte à ceux qui ont violenté d’autres citoyens et des journalistes. Honte à ceux qui ont tenté d’intimider des élus. Pas de place pour ces violences dans la République.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 24, 2018
The opposition expresses dissatisfaction with the way the Macron government deals with the crisis.
When the movement has the support of three-quarters French, you give them an answer, do not reject them as a band of thugs – comments in the pages of „Le Parisien” Olivier Faure, leader of the socialist party.
The roads are still blocked
Today, the „yellow vests” blocked the following roads:
Brittany
– N 12 motorway closed in both directions around Saint Brieuc. A detour has been designated.
Normandy
– N1338 in Rouen traffic disturbances near the Flaubert bridge (La Motte roundabout),
– N182 traffic disturbances near the Tancarville bridge (movement reduced to 1 belt),
– N814 bypass of Caen: exit no. 12 to road N158 is closed.
According to the France Bleu portal, protesters have also installed a filtering roadblock in the Beychac-et-Caillau industrial area in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine department (south-west France), where they stop truck traffic and only let passenger cars pass. About 60 trucks are unable to enter or exit the zone.
In some places, „filtering” roadblocks may still appear. In addition, on toll gates „yellow vests” still organize the so-called „free gates” actions, i.e. passing cars without paying for the highway.
The authorities are calling for caution due to the increased pedestrian traffic at the toll gate, especially during the night hours.
Photo: Twitter/distefanoTW