Motorists across France dressed in yellow jackets and protest against rising fuel prices. There are victims

Photo: France 3 Normandie / youtube.com

About a hundred protesters are near the Elysee Palace. The video channels also shows that the protesters in Paris were thrown at police flares

Photo: Brunoguzzi / commons.wikimedia.org

French motorists on 17 November went to the universal demonstration against rising fuel prices. In the action take part more than 200 thousand people, according to the RFI , citing the interior Ministry. During the protests, one woman was killed, about 50 people were injured, TV channel BFM.tv.

At the Savoy motorist, who drove her daughter to the doctor, panicked, when protesters began banging on the window of her car and knocked 50-year-old participant of the action. The woman died on the spot, the culprit of road accident taken to hospital in a state of shock. In Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes Department) the driver tried to avoid demonstrators at the roundabout and hit a police officer who suffered minor injuries.

Three victims on the protests are in serious condition. In some cities, the action turned into clashes with the police, arrested 24 people. In Paris protesters blocked the Champs Elysees from the arc de Triomphe. About a hundred protesters are near the Elysee Palace. The video channels also shows that the protesters in Paris were thrown at police flares.

Tensions flare up in #Paris #GiletsJaunes #BREAKING #UPDATE #giletsjaunes blocking #ChampsElysees #Paris
pic.twitter.com/zzxWOuMare

srb news (@srbnews0) 17 Nov 2018.

At the checkpoint at the entrance to the viaduct Agraz (Haute Savoie), the police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Conflicts with the police were also recorded in Cholet, Rennes, Nimes. In the area of Amiens highway was blocked by protesters who joined the bikers, reports RBC.

#GiletsJaunes#17Novembre2018 #blocagenational pic.twitter.com/5jCAb9K2qn

— ???????? Azi ???????? (@azi_azip) 17 Nov 2018.

#Giletsjaunes #17novembre blocage sur l A2 direction Belgique France aire d Hensies. Un chien a aussi son gilet #Valenciennes pic.twitter.com/QpR8fnzAVA

— Diane (@Diane1710) 17 Nov 2018.

The movement, dubbed “yellow jackets”, as its participants are compulsory for drivers in France, reflective vests, appeared in social networks in response to increasing fuel prices. According to the participants, it has nothing to do with the unions and is really popular. Angry motorists have issued a call to lock in Saturday the highways of France and demand lower prices.

For the year, gasoline prices in the country increased by 10-15%, and the most popular in the country, diesel fuel has risen by 24%. Liter of fuel is often more expensive 1,6 – 1,7 Euro. The President of France Emmanuel macron explained that fuel prices depend on global oil prices, but the movement of the “yellow jacket” is confident that the government can help the car owners by reducing the taxes on fuel.

Officially, the government raises taxes on fuel for the development of clean energy. However, the opposition and the French believe that the true purpose of government – to patch holes in the budget resulting from tax breaks for businesses and investors.

Thus, the tax on petroleum products after the increase should bring revenues of 38 billion euros, but in a special “Environmental transformation” for the development of renewable energy is only 7 billion euros, said RFI. Another 12 billion goes to local budgets of regions and departments, little more than a billion on transport infrastructure. Half of the collected tax (in 2019 this amount will reach 17 billion euros), “dissolved” in the General budget of the state.

The government promises support, but lower taxes does not intend

The Prime Minister of France Edouard Philippe earlier this week promised measures to support motorists and low-income citizens totaling half a billion euros. According to him, will expand the state program of recycling of old cars and discounted premiums for participants. For the poorest in 2019, the prize will be doubled to 4 million euros.

Philip also promised to significantly expand a tax credit that allows employers to pay a special premium to employees who use personal cars for business trips. For citizens with low incomes will be increased incentives for electricity and gas, the amount of compensation will increase from 150 to 200 euros per year.

The Prime Minister stated firmly that the government is not going to reduce taxes on fuel and energy, although they have caused mass demonstrations.