Off Topic » France backs off on new energy taxes

My newspaper reports that France has backed off on the new energy taxes that have caused the recent riots, at least for the next six months, to let things cool down for the holidays, I assume. Here is what the article says:

"On Tuesday, France delayed for six months a plan to raise already steep taxes on diesel fuel by 24 cents a gallon and gasoline by about 12 cents a gallon. Macron argued the taxes were needed to curb climate change by weening motorists off petroleum products, but violent demonstrations in the streets of Paris and other French cities forced him to backtrack - at least for now."

......it ain’t over yet........

People Power - there ought to be more of it!!

Sweden could use some French "cohones". That kind of protest would never happen here.
Clench one's fist in the pocket =swedish national sport

Go Pascal! Vive la France!

The people smell blood and won't be satisfied until Macron has gone.

He blinked first and is now on the back foot. He can offer more concessions (he's an arrogant dick, so not in his nature) or he could crack down on the protesters (possible, as he's an arrogant dick with a Napoleon complex)....both options are "lose" for him.

I'm getting updates from my French work colleagues that fuel shortages are starting to be a problem. They've taken to driving across the border and filling up in Germany.

Be careful what your wish for. Neither Brexit or Trump have been useful exercises

A few minutes ago I heard on the CBS national news that the French had arrested hundreds of "protesters" this weekend. GordonH was right about the French "smelling blood in the water". Apparently the French people had more issues than just the new taxes.

It was also mentioned that Brexit would be going down in flames when it comes from the UK legislature to vote on the proposed agreement with the EU. Expect economic turmoil to follow. Not sure about rioting in the streets, though. We'll have to check with Bravo about that.