Macron to break silence

Pressure mounted on French President Emmanuel Macron to announce measures to calm protests marked by violence when he addresses the nation Monday evening, and breaks a long silence seen as aggravating a crisis that has shaken the government and the whole country.

The president (above) will consult in the morning with national and local officials as he tries to get a handle on the ballooning and radicalizing protest movement triggered by anger at his policies, and a sense that they favor the rich.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said he was “sure [Macron] will know how to find the path to the hearts of the French, speak to their hearts.”

But, he added, a “magic wand” won’t solve all the problems of the protesters, known as “yellow vests” for the fluorescent safety vests they often wear.

Last week, Macron withdrew a fuel tax hike — the issue that kicked off protests in mid-November — in an effort to appease the protesters, but the move was seen as too little too late.