Environment Minister Francois de Rugy met representatives of the so-called “yellow vest” protesters last week but failed to convince them to end the demonstrations that have taken place over the last two weeks. Inside, rioters smashed in the iconic face of a sculpture, a partial reproduction of the frieze “La Marseillaise” by Francois Rude. ‘Yellow vests will win’Three people have died in incidents linked to the anti-government protests, which were sparked initially by a rise in taxes on diesel. Graffiti was daubed at the Arc de Triomphe, with one slogan saying: “The yellow vests will win.”State of emergency? I am prepared to examine everything.”‘We won’t change course’Macron faces a dilemma over how to respond, not least because the “yellow vests” are a grassroots movement with no formal leaders and a wide range of demands.

Source: Egypt Independent December 03, 2018 09:22 UTC