In his address to France amid the backdrop of violent protests by the so-called ‘yellow vests' against the increase in petrol prices, French President Emmanuel Macron said that he had heard the protesters but would not refuse to raise the price of fuel.
According to the politician, the president's address will not force the ‘yellow vests' movement to slow down:
'I believe that, on the contrary, people are disappointed, discouraged by the fact that no answer [from Macron] followed'.
READ MORE: LIVE UPDATES: Mass Protests in Paris Over Soaring Fuel Prices
Commenting on the French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner's accusations of French National Front leader Marine Le Pen of being behind the protests, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan stated, ‘This is a manipulation at the state level. I demanded the resignation of Mr Castaner'.
'The riots on the Champs-Élysées are designed specifically to ridicule the movement, and this is a tragedy'.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan recalled that ‘the detainees are not members of any political movement'.
Dupont-Aignan also supported the protest campaigns of some of his fellow deputies in the National Assembly, in particular, Jean Lassalle and Jean-Hugues Ratenon, elected from the Department of Réunion (where massive ‘yellow vests' strikes took place), as they reflect the ‘indignation of the people'.
For nearly two weeks, the so-called yellow vests protests have seen thousands take to the streets across France over an increase in diesel and petrol prices, blocking roads and causing traffic jams. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday that the protests had dealt a severe blow to the national economy.
READ MORE: 'Yellow Vests' Fuel Price Protests in France
While diesel prices have risen by around 23 per cent since the beginning of the year and petrol by 15 per cent, prices are expected to climb even higher.
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