Macron U-turn fails to appease protesters

Nov 17: ‘Yellow vest’ protests sparked by planned fuel tax hikes. Movement thus named because protesters wear high-visibility jackets that French law requires

all motorists to carry. Over 2,000 protests involving 282,000 people block major roads across France

Nov 24: 5,000 police deployed in Paris to disperse protesters calling on Macron to resign. Water cannon and tear gas used as activists hurl projectiles, light fires and build barricades around Champs-Élysées

Dec 1: Third weekend of protests sees Paris’ worst rioting in decades, with shops and cars set ablaze and Arc de Triomphe

vandalised. After initially dismissing protesters, Macron says Prime Minister Édouard Philippe

will meet group

2.5Km

Dec 3: Discontent spreads to health care workers and high schools, with some students protesting about education reforms

Dec 4: Philippe announces sixmonth delay in fuel tax increase that would have begun in January, and freeze on energy prices until May

Dec 5: Protests show no sign of slowing as general discontent over economic inequality continues. Trade unions and disgruntled farmers pledge to join in, while government mulls changes to wealth tax that critics say benefits France’s richest citizens

Leaderless protests have grown via social media and come from across political spectrum. Key complaint has been anger at Macron (inset) and perceived elitism of France’s ruling class