FRANCE: Macron’s debate fails to yield results as ‘Yellow vests’ protest continues

Despite frantic moves by French President Emmanuel Macron to allow protesters channel their anger into a series of town hall debates, wild demonstrations continued in Paris and other parts of the country.

The unending protests had forced Macron to adopt a counter-offensive this week with the launch of his “grand national debate”, spending hours in rural France debating with disgruntled mayors which has not calmed frayed nerves.

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Reports say tens of thousands of “yellow vests” protesters who thronged streets for a 10th straight weekend of anti-government rallies refused Saturday to demobilise.

In Paris, several thousands of people, many waving placards called for Macron to resign while protests in several other cities ended in sporadic clashes, with police using tear gas and water cannon to disperse hooded protesters who threw paving stones and bottles.

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