French PM seeks ‘unity’ after unrest
GBnews 24 desk//
French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has vowed to “restore national unity” after violence broke out during a fourth consecutive weekend of protests.
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets on Saturday – the latest day of “yellow vest” demonstrations against fuel tax rises and high living costs, reports BBC.
Almost 1,000 people were taken into custody but the violence was not on the same level as a week earlier.
Discussions with peaceful protesters “must continue”, Mr Philippe said.
He added: “No tax should jeopardise our national unity. We must now rebuild that national unity through dialogue, through work, and by coming together.”
He said President Emmanuel Macron – who many protesters want to stand down – would soon “put forward measures to foster this dialogue”.
French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner praised police – who had been deployed in force – for containing much of the unrest.
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