Yellow Vest Protests Force Macron to Suspend Fuel Tax Hikes

French protesters clashing with the riot police in Paris on Nov. 24, 2018 during the so-called "Yellow Vest" demonstrations held against the French president's economic policies and the fuel price hikes / Photo by IRIB Correspondent in Paris

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will announce the suspension today, according to a government source, after escalating violence and public outrage against the French president’s economic reforms caused the government to lose control over the citizens.

The violent protests posed the most formidable challenge yet to Macron’s presidency. According to French finance minister, three weeks of “yellow vest” protests strongly influenced the country’s economy, with trade in retailers, hotel chains, high-street stores, and restaurants significantly falling as a result of the unrest.

Bruno Le Maire said Monday the impact was severe and ongoing.

During Saturday’s disturbances in Paris, tourists were left shocked, with some saying they would cut short their visit.

The movement began on November 17 as a social-media-planned protest against fuel-tax rises but has since morphed into an uprising against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron.

The protests have taken on a name of its own: the “yellow vest” protests, a reference to the vests worn by people active in the transportation industry.

Three people have been killed in the protests since demonstrations started more than two weeks ago, police said.

French ambulance drivers on Monday joined the nationwide protests. They blamed the 40-year-old President Macron, whom they see as detached from the everyday struggles of ordinary people, for their woes.

Riot police, however, used tear gas to disperse the drivers demonstrating against a new medical transport finance reform in Paris.

Protesting ambulance workers demand the suspension of the new medical transport finance reform, which they say undercuts smaller ambulance companies.

At least 100 ambulance workers used their vehicles to block a bridge leading to the National Assembly, with paramedics screeching sirens and blocking access to the square from Rue de Rivoli.