French President Emmanuel Macron abandoned a proposed fuel-tax raise on Wednesday amid fears that the violent “yellow vest” protests will continue, France 24 reports. Macron announced a six-month suspension of the tax increase on Tuesday, but was met with continued hostility from thousands of protesters who have stormed central Paris, burning cars and vandalizing monuments. The price of diesel, the most commonly used fuel in France, has risen by around 23 percent over the past year. Macron’s decision is a major blow to the president’s authority, as he vowed not to cave under pressure from protesters on Saturday.
