Yellow: La couleur du changement
The yellow vest movement continues as no resolution has been found
Protestors flooding the streets in Nice with signs proclaiming their rights
As tensions rise in France, citizens continue to join the Yellow Vest Movement- a political movement striving for economic propriety, focusing on rising petrol prices and the simple cost of living.
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has aided France through a tax reform to alter the way businesses pay into the government. As of August 2018, the unemployment rate stands at 9.3%. While it decreased slightly during Macron’s presidency, unemployment remains lofty and over double that of the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Protestors claim Macron is targeting middle and working classes. Capping pensions/ welfare budgets and decreasing public sector jobs directly hurts those in the workforce.
Macron’s approval rating is plummeting; now only 19% of French voters agree with his actions (Kantar Sofres-One point). On November 17, 2018, almost 290,000 motorists protested the increase of petrol prices (up to 20%) While this seems alarming, gas prices are also rising worldwide. This plays into Macron’s environmental emphasis; he plans on reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.
Pollution surrounds France as Macron battles the citizens’ unrest while tending to the dark cloud hovering over him, 75% of which is caused by fossil fuel. He has released incentives for citizens to buy Earth-friendly electric cars. However, it had little impact.
Protestors continue to push for petroleum companies to pay extra petrol taxes, claiming workers rely on cars and often don’t have access to public transportation. Macron must find a balance between workers wages, taxes, and green sustainability or France will transition into a state of turmoil.
