Following mass protests, France suspends fuel tax rise for 6 months

– France has suspended its fuel tax rise following violent protests from the people of the country

– The announcement was made by the prime minister of France, Edouard Philippe, after meeting with MPs from the ruling party, La Republique en Marche

– A lot of people participated in the mass protests, which caused considerable damages in some parts of the country

Following violent protests from the people of France which had caused enormous damages, the country has announced a six-month suspension of a fuel tax rise.

BBC reports that the prime minister of France, Edouard Philippe, made the announcement after meeting MPs from the ruling party, saying that the people must be heard.

TRACKNEWS.NG gathers that Philippe said apart from the fuel tax increases that was suspended, also suspended were hikes in electricity and gas prices and strict vehicle emissions control.

According to report, nearly 300,000 people took part in the first countrywide protest. There were more than 106,000 a week later, and 136,000 people participated in it on Saturday, December 1.

Philippe said: “The French people who have put on yellow vests love their country. We share those values.”

“The main role of the state is to guarantee public order, but we must fight against anything that endangers the unity of the nation.”

According to the prime minister, a public consultation would be held on taxes and public spending from Saturday, December 15 till Friday, March 1.

Meanwhile, TRACKNEWS.NG previously reported that French, President Emmanuel Macron, urged Nigerian youths to get involved in politics to change the narrative of the nation.

Macron, while describing politics as important, said only Nigerians could change their image before the comity of nations.

The French president, who was accompanied by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state, gave the challenge during a visit to the Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, on Tuesday, July 3, at an event tagged “Celebrate African Culture”.

He noted that the future of Africa and the task of making it great rested with Africans, saying that the youths had a crucial role to play.

Macron said: “Africa needs a new generation of Africans to share the new narrative about Africa all over the world.”

According to him, politics is important because it is a tool to change the society.

Macron described the Afrika Shrine as an iconic place of strength, music, culture and the late Fela as a politician who wanted a change for the society.