French President Emmanuel Macron bent to the demands of the “yellow vest” protesters faster than a socialist calls for higher taxes. As a matter of fact, it was Macron’s want to raise France’s fuel tax that brought the country to this point in the first place.
Macron addressed French people in a cowardly pre-recorded statement in which the president of France condemned the “violent” protests, all while capitulating to some of the “yellow vest” protesters demands.
“When violence is unleashed, freedom stops,” Macron hypocritically said.
Macron really isn’t one to talk about freedom considering the French president was in the process of raising taxes on France’s middle and lower classes - an already overtaxed people - hampering their economic freedom. As evidenced by Macron’s address, tax hikes aren't going to be happening — yet.
Besides calling on employers to give their employees bonuses before the end of the year, Macron — with his tail tucked between his legs — made several other concessions to try and quell the unrest in his country.
According to Fox News:
Among his pledges made Monday were reiterating promises to raise the minimum wage and abolishing taxes on overtime pay starting Jan. 1, several months ahead of schedule. He also said that a tax hike that pensioners faced would also be scrapped.
All of the measures offered had been demanded by the yellow-vested protesters who have led four weeks of increasingly violent demonstrations against Macron's presidency, seen as favoring the rich.
Macron acknowledged "anger and indignation“ among members of the public over the cost of living, but added that "no indulgence" would be given to people behind the protest violence.
Macron’s backpedalling comes just two days after large-scale protests by the “yellow vests," which saw a reported 135,000 people protest across the country. Hundreds of arrests were made by “tens of thousands” of police officers.
Days before this past Saturday’s protest, Macron backed down from his proposed raising of the France’s fuel tax. But, protesters weren’t satisfied and went on with the planned protest citing multiple Macron policies as the impetus for their anger.
Macron’s approval rating hit an all-time low of 18 percent last week despite the French president only occupying the office for a little over a year-and-a-half.
For video of Macron's pre-recorded address, watch below: