Macron under MORE pressure as yellow vest protests into 17th weekend – 'SHAME of Europe!'

The yellow vest demonstrations against French President Emmanuel Macron started in mid-November over planned fuel tax hikes but quickly spiralled into a revolt against the Government’s alleged elitism. In Paris for the 17th weekend of yellow vest marches across France, women led the group protesting for equal rights, a day after International Women’s Day. The Paris march began at the Arc de Triomphe on Saturday and ended near Luxembourg Gardens.

A flash protest also broke out at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport where protesters wandered peacefully through the airport in protest against the privatization project of Aéroports de Paris (ADP).

With more than three months into the unrest and some violent protests, Mr Macron’s team has toughened its stance on the rioters and voted in a new law to sanction undeclared protests and prevent those taking part in the rallies from wearing face-covering balaclavas to escape identity checks.

The French Government have also said they will not hesitate from using flash grenade riot control guns.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner sought to defend the use of the controversial rubber bullets and said: “It’s true that this intermediate weapon can hurt, but faced with rioters, the police need it to defend themselves against those who attack them.”

Mr Macron has also denied allegations riot police were using excessive force against yellow vest protesters.

During a debate in the southwestern town of Gréoux-les-Bains, Mr Macron said: “I don’t like the word repression because it doesn’t reflect reality.”

He added: “For several weeks now, thugs have infiltrated and distorted the yellow vest movement. They have threatened and beaten up security forces whose job is to protect you.

“Everywhere that there is violence, I expect police officers to be in a position to protect themselves and protect the public order. For as long as I am president, the right to protest and the rule of law will be respected.”

But eurosceptic economist Richard Wellings hit back at the French President’s “breathtaking dishonesty” in regard to the violence.

Mr Wellings wrote on Twitter: “Breathtaking dishonesty from increasingly authoritarian French president Emmanuel Macron, who is denying the police brutality against anti-government protesters despite the huge volume of evidence to the contrary.”

Twitter users have also branded the French President the “shame of Europe” as they called for him to resign.

One person said: “He needs to resign ASAP and Tredeau should follow him.”

Another wrote: “Another Blair, can’t be trusted.”

While a third Twitter user said: “Difficult for Macron to deny the brutality, when it ‘has’ been record many times in many French Cities and Towns where such action has taken place.”

source: express.co.uk