5 yıl önce

France's yellow vests plan to take part in EU parliament elections

Paris coordinator of yellow vest protestors says they want to build a more democratic and social Europe.

AFP

A demonstrator holds a placard reading "RIC (for "Citizens' Initiative Referendum") on any matter", as people stand on the Galeries Lafayette pedestrian bridge in Paris, during an anti-government demonstration called by the yellow vest "Gilets Jaunes" movement, on January 12, 2019.

The Paris coordinator of France’s yellow vest protest movement said on Friday they are preparing to participate in European Union parliamentary elections.

In remarks made on the BFM TV news channel, Thierry Paul Valette said they have created a list of candidates from the movement, called the Yellow Vested Citizens Union, and want to formally take part in the elections, which will be held on May 26.

Valette said they want to build a more democratic and social Europe.

Since November 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests have gathered in major French cities, including Paris, to protest French President Emmanuel Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and deteriorating economic situation.

Demonstrators held protests blocking roads as well as entrances and exits to gas stations and factories across the country.

Under pressure, Macron announced a rise in the minimum wage and scuttled the tax hikes.

Since then, however, the protests have grown into a broader movement aimed at tackling income inequality and are calling for giving citizens a stronger voice in government decision-making.

At least 10 people have died, around 6,000 others have been detained and over 2,000 others have been injured in the protests.

Elena Casas reports on how the injuries have pushed a court case against the use of rubber bullets.