France will completely abandon plans to increase fossil fuel prices, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced on Wednesday in the light of sweeping public protests that have engulfed the country in the last few weeks. The decision comes a day after the French government officially announced it will suspend the increase in fossil fuel taxes for at least six months.
The government's decision to halt the rise in fuel taxes came after the so-called yellow vests protests resulted in over 400 people being arrested and more than 130 injured over the weekend. The French drivers first took to the streets on November 17 to protest President Emmanuel Macron's policy of raising petrol and diesel taxes in order to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. However, nation-wide demonstrations have been organized every weekend since, and have evolved into a more general expression of discontent with Macron and his government.
