Emmanuel Macron IN CRISIS: Can tax cut promise SAVE France's presidency?

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron has responded to a deepening crisis with promises of tax cuts, higher pensions and civil service reforms.

The address was a long-awaited response to the yellow vest movement which began in November. Fierce protests broke out over rises in fuel costs but widened to cover a range of grievances over economic inequality. In a live address at the Elysee Palace, Mr Macron said order must return, but acknowledged a “lack of trust” in the establishment.

The speech was originally scheduled for April 15 but was postponed after the devastating fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

The announcement is the culmination of what was called a "grand debate" with the French people about their concerns - an unforeseen political tactic through which Mr Macron said he had “learned a lot”.

President Macron said he recognised that “fair demands” were at the core of the gilet jaunt, or yellow vest, movement.

The protests were initially intended to fund eco-friendly projects in the wake of rising fuel prices, escalated into the sometimes violent yellow vest movement.


Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron: The live address at the Elysee Palace (Image: Getty)

The protests caused a national uprising against what protesters see as economic injustice in , directing anger at the President and political elite.

When  was elected in 2017, he vowed to fight "the forces of division that undermine France".

In his speech on Friday, he questioned whether he had taken a “wrong turn”.

However, he said government reforms so far had been right, but not fast enough.

Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron: Protests escalated into the sometimes violent yellow vest movement. (Image: Getty)

The plans announced include:

  • A "significant cut" in income tax worth €5bn (£4.3bn; $5.6bn), financed by spending cuts and closing company tax loopholes, but the French will have to "work harder"
  • Reintroduction of inflation-linking for pensions worth less than €2,000 a month but more working life spent making pension contributions
  • More decentralised government
  • Extending proportional representation in elections, and making referendums easier to hold
  • Abolition of the ENA university, which has trained political leaders and captains of industry but is seen as elitist by many

Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron: In his speech on Friday, he questioned whether he had taken a “wrong turn” (Image: Getty)

The president also acknowledged there were concerns in society regarding climate change and immigration.

The announcement came at a crucial time for Mr Macron’s presidency, as the country gears up for the European Parliament elections in May.

It remains to be seen whether these plans will sufficiently quell the anti-establishment tide moving against the President.