Emmanuel Macron: Fury and Macron refuse to waive higher taxes on diesel | World | New



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The 40-year-old journalist is under pressure to defuse popular discontent over rising taxes, which has turned into a greater revolt against the rising cost of living and the feeling of abandonment. in rural France. Two people – a motorist and a protester – were killed and more than 600 injured during the two weeks of protests against the yellow vest against the rise in fuel taxes in France. French legislator Nadine Morano, a member of the European Parliament, told Europe 1 radio: "The government's fiscal delirium has aggravated the gap between the rich and the poor and has led to a collapse of society.

"He listens to anger, but I do not think he understands it."

She added "social discontent is deep".

She added that Mr. Macron was "worse" than his socialist predecessor, Francois Hollande, because his leadership style was much more "brutal" and "arrogant," Morano continued, urging Macron to admit that He was "wrong". increase the fuel tax.

Mr Macron said on Tuesday that he understood the anger felt by the French in the face of rising fuel prices over the purchasing power, but insisted that he would not be intimidated to change its energy policy.

"We must not change course because the political direction is right and necessary," said Macron in a televised speech presenting his plan for transition to cleaner energy.

He also sought to pacify the "yellow vest" protesters so named because of the highly visible safety vests they wear on their barricades, with a proposal to revise fuel tax rates every three months to take into account world oil prices.

He also admitted that the rise in the diesel tax, which began when pump prices were rising, had been more painful than expected.

The price of diesel, the most commonly used automotive fuel in France, has risen by about 23% in the last 12 months, reaching an average of 1.51 Euro (1.32 £) per liter.

World oil prices have certainly increased before falling back in October, but the Macron government increased its tax on hydrocarbons by 7.6 cents per liter for diesel and 3.9 cents for fuel, as part of its campaign for cleaner cars and fuels.

But the decision to impose a further increase of 6.5 cents on diesel and 2.9 cents on gasoline on January 1 pushed French drivers to the brink.

For nearly a week, "yellow jackets" paralyzed traffic across France and blocked access to some fuel depots, shopping malls and factories to protest the tax hikes.

Two people were killed in road accidents and more than 600 were injured during the demonstrations.

National unrest, including violent clashes provoked by extremist groups in Paris this weekend, hurt Mr. Macron as he tried to defend himself against a sharp drop in popularity.

"Jaquettes" officially called for a third weekend of protests in the French capital via a Facebook page called "Act 3 Macron resigns".

Eric Drouet, trucker and official spokesman for the "yellow vest", said: "It's decided, there will be an Act 3 Saturday in Paris, on the Champs-Elysees."

But not all French support the popular protest movement.

Tuesday, Jacline Mouraud, a Breton motorist and the face of "yellow vests", lodged a complaint for defamation with the police after two threatening letters were sent to his home, local prosecutors said. AFP.

Anonymous senders condemned the role played by the 51-year-old woman in launching the anti-government movement, telling her that she would "pay for all the cost" and that she deserved to be " burned. "

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