People dressed in yellow vests are continuing their anti-government protest in Paris for the eighth weekend in a row. The Yellow Vest movement emerged spontaneously in November after French President Emmanuel Macron announced controversial hikes in fuel prices to encourage a transition towards greener energy.
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Europe
Will the 'yellow vest' protests push France further to the right?
France's so-called yellow vest protests are a vehicle for those who feel left behind by politicians in the capital. The demonstrations could boost support for far-right parties. Lisa Louis reports from Paris.
A group of protesters in Paris (Malik Mahieu)
Demonstrations are nothing out of the ordinary in France. But the yellow vest protests are different. The grassroots movement that sprung up on social networks mostly consists of working-class people who had never before taken to the streets. They are outraged by new fuel taxes, which will make it even more difficult for them to make ends meet. That adds to their feeling of being left behind by the politicians in Paris.
Around 300,000 people demonstrated last week across France. Tens of thousands have continued to block roads, shopping centers and government buildings over the past few days. On Saturday, another large gathering is planned in Paris.
Christophe Chalencon has been blocking roads in the southern Vaucluse department. The blacksmith in his 50s voted for the centrist Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential election, but now feels betrayed by him.
"Macron is behaving like a king and just doesn't understand us people in the countryside, even though we represent more than 60 percent of the population," he said.
https://www.dw.com/en/will-the-yellow-vest-protests-push-france-further-to-the-right/a-46422833