Macron opens G7 to ‘ordinary people’ in nod to yellow vests
FRANCE will make an “unprecedented” break from tradition at the next G7 meeting of leading world economies by inviting local citizens from civil society to take part in a summit dedicated to fighting inequality.
The Elysée Palace denied its decision to invite such non-political figures to Biarritz in August was a direct response to the “yellow vest” revolt but that it had “influenced” the French presidency of the group.
The country has seen more than two months of demonstrations on roundabouts and more violent protests in Paris, with the movement seen as in part anger over the failure of France’s elite to help the losers of globalisation in provincial and peri-urban France.
Yesterday in Paris a protester apparently lost his hand as a stun grenade exploded when he crouched to pick it
‘We are innovating in a way that has never been done before … to get solutions and good practices on the ground’
up. Cars were smashed and filled with smoke grenades, shop windows were kicked in and demonstrators were driven back from the French parliament in scenes now typical of Saturdays in Paris.
Yesterday marked the 13th consecutive week of protests.
Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, tweeted a photo of a blazing van belonging to anti-terrorism police, and said the image filled him with “indignation and disgust”.
He added: “Every day the police protect our citizens from terrorism. These attacks are intolerable. Everything will be done so the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.”
From Aug 24-26, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, will host the G7 leaders of the US, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan.
Reflecting many “yellow vest” demands, the themes will be the fight against inequality from birth and due to the environment; fairer trade, tax and development policies; peace, security and counter-terrorism and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
Representatives from a string of African countries, international organisations but also civil society “engagement groups”, will be present.