What Are The ‘Yellow Vest’ Protests Currently Rocking France?

France has witnessed massive protests over rising inequality, hike in fuel prices, high cost of living, among other issues, for more than a month now.

Demonstrators donning high-visibility yellow safety vests, which French law requires all motorists to carry, have blocked roadways and fuel pumps in various places across the country.

The protests have become so popular that they have spread to other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland.

Here’s all you need to know about the ‘Yellow Vest’ movement:

The Trigger for the Protests

The protests started on 17 November over planned hikes in fuel prices. However, the movement has grown into a wider expression of popular anger against growing inequality, high cost of living and President Emmanuel Macron’s perceived bias in favour of the elite.

The protests have widened into an uprising against President Emmanuel Macron's policies and become the biggest challenge to his presidency. In fact, Macron’s approval ratings have taken a beating, according to most polls.

What the Protestors Want

As The Guardian notes, “the movement is predominantly against a tax system perceived as unfair and unjust, but there are numerous grievances and differences of opinion. Most want to scrap the fuel taxes, hold a review of the tax system, raise the minimum wage and roll back Macron’s tax cuts for the wealthy and his pro-business economic programme. But some also want parliament dissolved and Macron to resign.”

Challenge to Macron

President Emmanuel Macron was initially quiet about the popular protests. He said the tax was necessary to "protect the environment" and "combat climate change". However, such was the nature of the protests that the French government had to somewhat bend to the movement’s demands.

The intensity of the protests quickly forced the Macron government to make a U-turn and first suspend and later permanently shelve its plans for fuel tax increases.