New gas taxes up in France – Macron popularity goes down
“…More than 80,000 French citizens took to the streets Saturday in what is the second weekend of “yellow vest” protests against tax increases on diesel and petrol.
The protestors, wearing the high-visibility vests that all drivers in France are required to keep in their cars, clashed with law enforcement and demanded President Macron’s resignation.
Over 244,000 people took part in protests throughout France last weekend and roughly 81,000 participated this weekend.
At least two people have been killed and more than 600 injured.
Scores of people have been arrested, including a man who demanded an audience with Macron while holding a grenade.
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The gas tax increase, which is set to go into effect January 1st, would increase the cost of 1 gallon of diesel fuel by about 25 cents. Diesel is the most commonly used fuel in French cars, and prices have already risen by more than 20% over the past year.
The tax increases are designed to discourage people from purchasing vehicles that contribute to climate change, but working-class families who drive old cars insist the tax increase is too much.
In the meantime, Macron’s approval rating has dropped to about 20%.
Editor’s note: The problem with socialist policies and massive welfare programs is that people get addicited to them to the point where you cannot pull them back without major withdrawal symptoms. It remains to be seen whether Macron will survive this.
Combined with the instability caused by massive Muslim immigration (complete with terrorist cells), France may face existential crises.
The question is whether the U.S. will suffer similar upheavals as it pulls back from Obamacare and other welfare programs….”
by
Alice Green – http://punchingbagpost.com/
