George Galloway launched a scathing attack on France President Emmanuel Macron, describing his salute to Venezuelan protestors as the “biggest act of hypocrisy in living memory”. The Brexiteer radio presenter also said the ‘Yellow Vest’ protests in Paris have brought the country “to a standstill”. Speaking on his talkRADIO show, Mr Galloway blasted: “The award for the biggest act of hypocrisy in living memory must go to President Macron, I still recognise him as the President of France myself. Who said that he saluted the heroic protestors against the government of Venezuela, whilst tomorrow proposing another round of teargas, rubber bullets, truncheons and even live ammunition against the brave protestors, against his own regime in Paris.
“You haven’t heard much have you about the yellow vests, well you are tonight going to hear plenty.
“Because as we now move into what is now almost three and a half months of yellow vest protests, every weekend right across France, which has brought the country to a standstill.”
The former Labour MP added: “Every weekend I’m amazed.”
The comments follow France’s anti-government yellow vest protesters announcing on Wednesday plans to put forward a list of candidates to run in upcoming European parliament elections, drawing mixed reactions from established political parties.
The ‘Gilets Jaunes’ already have 10 names on their list for the crunch May vote, and have urged fellow yellow vests to join the initiative.
Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told Radio Classique on Thursday: “Everyone in our country is free to constitute a list, to carry their ideas.
“It’s healthier for people to do so openly, at the ballot box … than in balaclavas during protests and using violence.”
The new group is called “Ralliement d’initiative citoyenne,” or Citizens’ Initiative Rally.
Yellow vests, or ‘Gilets Jaunes’, mainly come from a middle-class background and started protesting in November after Mr Macron suggested a tax increase on fuel.
The group said in a statement: “The citizen movement… has shown the need to transform the anger into a human political project capable of giving answers to the French people who have supported it.
“We want this list to be carried by people who have been involved in the mobilisation… from the very beginning. No technocrats.”