The “yellow vests” have put in check President Emmanuel Macron in France. The movement protests against the increase of taxes on fuel. It turns out that the first person who received the president in Argentina was an employee wearing just a yellow safety vest.
In addressing the G20 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron may have expected a respite from the protests at home, where protesters have adopted yellow vests as their emblem.
But when he got off his plane in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, the first person he saw – an airport employee – was dressed in one of these high visibility garments which made with reflective fabrics.
The yellow vests, the highly visible garb worn by emergency workers, have become a symbol of the increasingly stinging protests in France, triggered by an increase in fuel taxes.
Macron hopes to reduce carbon emissions and face the long-term challenge of climate change, but protesters say low-income families are the most affected.
A popular movement
Two out of three French support the protests of the “yellow vests” against the increase in the price of fuels, according to two polls published on Wednesday.
In addition, eight out of ten believe that the measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron to limit the impact of the planned increase for January 1 are “insufficient”.
This Opinion Way survey carried out for LCI, RTL and Le Figaro, shows constant support from the French for these demonstrations, which have resulted in two deaths and nearly 600 injuries in eleven days of protests and roadblocks.
Protest with a yellow safety clothing
An survey for the BFMTV network published on Wednesday shows that the popularity of “yellow vests” is growing among the public. In total, 75% of respondents (+ 5% in a week) second or feel sympathy for the movement.
Likewise, most of the respondents consider that the measures announced on Tuesday by Macron to try to calm the anger of the demonstrators are insufficient.
He also said he will launch a large national consultation over the next three months to develop a roadmap to help France move to a low-carbon economy without penalizing low-income families.
However, the centrist president refused to back down in the increase of the tax on fuels, which will come into force next year, claiming that it is a necessary measure to fight against pollution and global warming.
Although initially focused on a rejection of the increase in the taxation of fuels, the movement of “yellow vests” has spread to become a movement against the loss of purchasing power, taxes considered excessive and insufficient pensions.