France ‘yellow vest’ protests: Timeline of unrest

France has experienced weeks of social unrest since massive protests erupted across the country on November 17. 

The demonstrations were initially held to protest planned hikes in fuel taxes, but have since widened into an movement against the government’s economic policies, leaving President  Emmanuel Macron facing the biggest challenge of his presidency.

Below is a timeline of the “yellow vest” movement in France, from the first online rumblings against the tax hike to nationwide protests and the worst Paris riots in decades.

Viral video

A video posted on Facebook on October 18 quickly goes viral. It shows a woman, Jacline Mouraud, addressing French President Emmanuel Macron – “Monsieur Macron”, she says – from her living room.

In it she lists the grievances of drivers in the face of the fuel price hike.

A petition to bring down the price of fuel is posted online.

Mass protests

Saturday, November 17, is the first day of road blockades across France with nearly 290,000 demonstrators wearing the fluorescent yellow vests motorists are required to carry in their cars.

The protests are spontaneous, and not organised by political parties or unions.

Nearly 290,000 protesters turned out across France on November 17 [File:Eric Gaillard/Reuters]

The next day Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says the government will not back down.

Violence breaks out in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, led mainly by armed youths.

Second Saturday

The next protests take place the following Saturday, November 24.

Thousands of demonstrators clash with police on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

‘Yellow vest’ protesters block the Champs-Elysees in Paris on November 24 [File:Benoit Tessier/Reuters]

More than 106,000 demonstrators are recorded across France, including 8,000 in Paris. Revised official numbers count 166,000.

Aborted meeting

On November 27 Macron offers minor concessions, saying he would propose a mechanism to adjust the tax increases and calls for a three-month national consultation.

Unimpressed, the “yellow vests” call for a new protest on December 1 on the Champs-Elysees.

On November 29 Philippe meets a “yellow vest” protester. A day later two accept his invitation, but one walks out.

Chaos in Paris

The third day of protests takes place on Saturday, December 1, with widespread violence erupting particularly in Paris around the Arc de Triomphe and several upscale neighbourhoods.

A car burns during a ‘yellow vest’ protest against rising living costs on the Champs Elysees on December 1 [File:Alain Jocard/ AFP]

The government says some 136,000 people protested across the country.

Crisis meetings

On his return from the G20 summit in Argentina, Macron immediately calls a crisis meeting at the Elysee Palace on December 2.

Philippe meets with political party leaders on December 3.

“Yellow vests” representatives announce they will not go to a meeting with Philippe planned the following day – later cancelled – as some say they have received death threats.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Arc de Triomphe after it was damaged during the December 1 riots [File: AFP]

Blockages of roads, shopping centres and fuel depots continue.

Seizing on the momentum from the protests, students start demonstrating over education reforms, disrupting dozens of high schools every day from December 3.

Six-month suspension

On December 4, the government retreats.

The prime minister says planned tax increases on petrol and diesel on January 1 will be suspended for six months and hikes in regulated electricity and gas prices will be frozen during the winter.

The “yellow vests” reject the moves as insufficient and press ahead with plans for a fourth day of protests on Saturday, December 8.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announce the suspension on rising fuel taxes on December 4 [Ludovic Marin/ AFP]

The government fears the new protests could lead to a new explosion of violence, anticipating participation by the far left and far right.

2019 tax hikes scrapped

On December 5, Macron announces that all planned fuel tax hikes for 2019 will be scrapped.

However he rules out re-imposing a “fortune tax” on high-earners.

Farmers say they are planning to hold demonstrations next week, to support their own demands.

High risk demonstration

For the fourth day of protests on Saturday, 89,000 security force members are deployed, including 8,000 in Paris. Armoured vehicles are also mobilised in the capital.

The government, as well as most opposition parties and unions, have called for calm.

On the eve of a demonstration, “yellow vest” representatives advise against demonstrating in Paris where museums, monuments, big shops and many metro stations will be closed.