Macron forced to review hike in fuel taxes after violent protests

French President Emmanuel Macron has been forced to immediately review a hike in fuel taxes and other economic policies which have sparked wild protests throughout the country.

Macron who acknowledges widespread anger over fuel prices, however says he won’t ‘change course’ as he has proposed reviewing the tax rate on diesel and petrol every three months to take into account shifts in global prices.

The French leader said the fuel taxes would be adjusted to take into account sharp rises in world oil prices, but vowed not to back down on measures to protect the environment.

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“But we need to change how we work because a number of our citizens feel this policy course is imposed on them from above,” he added.

In the past days, security officials especially in Paris, the capital, had a tough time dealing with protesters as police were seen firing tear gas and water cannon against “yellow vest” protesters in the capital.

Angry protesters blame Macron’s “green taxes” for the 20-percent rise in diesel prices in the last year with mass rallies often turned violent with running clashes between the protesters and police officers.

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