France backs down on raising fuel taxes in 2019

French President Emmanuel Macron backed down again Wednesday in the face of nationwide protests against his government, with a spokeswoman for his office saying planned fuel tax increases will not be introduced in 2019.

His Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, announced a day earlier that the tax hike would be delayed by six months, from January 1 to midyear, so this pushes the tax increase that sparked protests back at least another six months.

PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 01: Protesters clash with riot police at the Place de l'Etoile during a Yellow Vest protest on December 1, 2018 in Paris, France. The 'Yellow Vest' is a protest movement without political affiliation that rallies against taxes and rising fuel prices. (Photo by Etienne De Malglaive/Getty Images)

Related article France announces postponement of tax hikes

The rising cost of gasoline and diesel fuel sparked protests that have since evolved into broader demonstrations against Macron’s government, exposing tensions between the metropolitan elite and rural poor.

The protesters, known as the “gilets jaunes,” take their name from the high-visibility yellow vests that drivers are required to keep in their vehicles for safety reasons.

Macron had asked political leaders to meet the protest organizers this week. However, two protesters who claim to lead the group, Benjamin Cauchy and Jacqueline Moreau, have pulled out of a meeting with Prime Minister Philippe planned for Tuesday,according to the movement’s spokesman, Maxime Nicole.

A yellow vest demonstrator faces riot police officers in Marseille, France, on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Riot police stand in tear gas in Toulouse, France, during a protest January 5.

Yellow vest protestors kneel in Lyon on January 5. About 50,000 people demonstrated throughout France on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

Protesters warm their hands over a burning tree in a Paris street on January 5.

A firefighter tries to extinguish a burning car in a street in Paris on January 5.

Protesters confront police during a "yellow vest" demonstration Saturday, December 22, in central Paris.

Demonstrators rally in the Montmartre area of Paris on December 22.

Protesters block a highway near the French border with Spain on December 22 in Biriatou, France.

Demonstators turn out December 22 near toll booths on the A9 highway in Le Boulou, France.

Protesters gather December 15 at Place de l'Opera in Paris.

Activists dressed like Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, face riot police on December 15 in Paris.

Demonstrators wearing yellow vests form a human tower December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.

A police water cannon sprays demonstrators on December 15 in Paris.

Protesters take part in a demonstration on December 15 in Paris.

Demonstrators run through tear gas during scuffles with police December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.

Police use tear gas on protesters at the Place de l'Opera in Paris on December 15.

A protester waves the French national flag during a demonstration on the Champs-élysées in Paris on December 15.

French police apprehend a man on December 8 during a protest in Paris.

Protesters wearing yellow vests gather on December 8 in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Demonstrators drop flat to the ground on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a protest on Saturday, December 8, in Paris.

Protesters install a barricade during clashes with police at a demonstration in Paris on December 8.

Protesters gather on December 8 in Paris.

A demonstrator is covered in blood after getting in injured during a protest in Paris on December 8.

Protesters wearing yellow vests walk on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background during a protest on December 8.

Two demonstrators dance in front a group as they take part on December 8 in the demonstration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

A protester reacts during clashes with police on December 8 in Paris.

French gendarmes apprehend a protester on December 8 in Paris.

Protesters throw objects at riot police on Saturday, December 1, during a demonstration that turned violent when protestors clashed with police in Paris.

An injured woman sits on the ground as police officers spray yellow vest protesters with tear gas during a protest in Paris on December 1.

A burned car is left in the street a day after the yellow vests demonstration against rising oil prices and living costs in Paris on December 1.

Firemen work to extinguish a burning car on December 1.

A demonstrator leaves as water cannons evacuate the Place de l'Etoile on December 1.

A demonstrator watches a burning car near the Champs-Elysees avenue on December 1.

Riot police officers stand in position during clashes with demonstrators on December 1.

Protesters and police clash in downtown Paris on December 1 during a national demonstration.

Hooded demonstrators smash a car.

A demonstrator throws a projectile during the December 1 protest.

A demonstrator treats a wounded man during a protest where police and demonstrators clashed, injuring dozens on December 1.

French gendarmes apprehend a protester in Paris on December 1.

In photos: Protests in France

Prev Next

Philippe canceled a trip to the COP24 climate conference in Poland to address the issue, which had threatened to flare again this coming weekend.

The government is likely hoping the suspension of the fuel hikes will take some heat out of the protests, which brought an estimated 36,000 people onto the streets of France on Saturday alone.

"Gilets jaunes" protesters at the Champs Elysees in Paris on Saturday

Around 400 people were arrested after a violent minority turned on police, throwing projectiles and vandalizing statues.

Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that among the protesters were people from across the country who had descended upon Paris with the express intent of causing trouble.

He added that authorities would crack down hardest on those who had joined the street demonstrations explicitly to carry out violent acts.

The cost of diesel has surged 16% this year from an average €1.24 ($1.41) per liter to €1.48 ($1.69), even hitting €1.53 ($1.74) in October, according to UFIP, France’s oil industry federation.

CNN’s Saskya Vandoorne reported from Paris, Euan McKirdy wrote from Hong Kong and Angela Dewan and Bianca Britton contributed from London. Steve Almasy contributed from Atlanta.