Macron announces that fuel taxes will change to reflect international oil prices

Faced with violent anti-government protests, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said he would not back down on controversial fuel tax hikes as he announced a blueprint for France’s transition to cleaner energy.

France24 reports that the French president’s energy roadmap comes as he is facing fractious “yellow vest” protests by citizens angry over fuel tax increases designed to finance green initiatives.

Macron acknowledged widespread anger expressed by protesters over the last 10 days, but said he would not back down on environmentally-friendly policies.

He offered minor concessions, saying he would propose a mechanism to adjust tax hikes when they occurred at the same time as an increase in oil prices internationally – as they have this year.

And he called for a three-month national consultation to draw up a roadmap for accelerating the country’s transition away from fossil fuels – which he insisted remained his overall objective.

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