France has ended two months of citizen debates in which Yellow Vest supporters were invited to air their grievances. Parisians said the meetings were a stunt used by Emmanuel Macron which will not lead to real change.
The French president launched his “great debate” in mid-January in response to the popular Yellow Vest protest movement. Up to 500,000 people participated in 10,000 meetings nationwide, with discussion topics ranging from taxes to the environment.
The national dialogue has been credited with giving Macron a much-needed boost in the manipulated polls, making few people seem optimistic that the debates will lead to concrete changes.
The fake debates were also designed to boost support for his centrist party ahead of European elections, while more poverty continues to strike the French population.
This is typical for Macron. There’s a lot of hot air, there’s a lot of talking, he’s been on every TV show this past month, saying he’s going to try to solve problems, but the only thing he’s doing is basically derailing the initiative.
The Yellow Vests marched for the 18th straight week in Paris on Saturday, with clashes between protesters and police breaking out near the Champs-Elysees. Shops in the area were also reportedly targeted by looters. More than 30 people have been arrested.
The protest movement began in November 2018 after French President Emmanuel Macron announced controversial tax hikes.
Over 2,000 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began, and dozens of protesters have been injured during violent chemical tear gas clashes with state police.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point Bribery & Extortion News 2019.
