Macron responds to "yellow vest" demands, announces concrete steps

(Patria) – At his first press conference in two years of presidency, Emmanuel Macron promised a reduction in income tax amounting to EUR 5 billion, agencies report.

This is Macron's first move in response to months of protests by French citizens gathered in the "yellow vest" movement.

The tax reduction applies to the lowest and middle incomes. Macron also promised an increase in pensions for citizens with the worst economic status, and announced that he will not close more schools and hospitals during his presidential term.  

The British Guardian writes that centrist Macron has decided to bring more "humanity" into his leadership style, but does not intend to make any changes to his "pro-business" agenda despite the continuation of yellow vest protests every Saturday, which are spreading across the country and increasingly escalating into violence.

Yellow vests accuse the French president of enacting reforms that benefit the rich and large businesses, and as a result of the protests, his popularity has sharply declined to 30% from an initial 60% in 2017 when he defeated right-winger Marine Le Pen.

Macron claims to understand the "just demands," the "anger and impatience" of the demonstrators, as well as their feeling that the "elite" does not care about them, nor does the presidency, but that public order must be re-established because the movement has "progressively transformed" into episodes of anti-Semitic violence, homophobia, and rebellion.

He explained that his goal is to liberalize the French economy, thus defending the controversial decision to reduce wealth tax.

His conclusions are based on a three-month "great debate" during which the president sought to listen to "ordinary citizens" and their views on the problems.

The decision to reduce taxes on low and middle incomes is based on cutting corporate taxes and reducing public spending by rationalizing public services. He also announced an extension of the working life for French citizens.

The young president also announced stronger efforts to build national pride, stating that France is not a "society of individuals" with their personal demands, but a nation of citizens. He mentioned that he noticed hatred in street demonstrations, which he described as a "regression of civic morality and education against which I will fight with all my might."

He also said that he personally regrets sometimes appearing unfair and rigid, explaining that he is strict and demanding of himself and the government, so it sometimes seems that he is also towards citizens. He promised that his policy will be "more humane" from now on.