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As some of you may be aware, since Saturday the 17th November, there have been protests taking place in France. These protestors call themselves the gilets jaunes (the yellow vests) and they are protesting against the increase in the price of fuel.
Macron has made the decision to increase the price of fuel as an environmental measure. The price of diesel has gone up by 7 euro cents and is going to increase further over the coming years, and the price of petrol is to increase by 4 euro cents. The protesters are demanding a freeze on these taxes, which they say disproportionately hurt the working class.
The protest consists of blocking traffic in high-profile areas and fuel depots. On Saturday, the crowds were estimated at nearly 300,000 at hundreds of sites. The map below shows all the active sites in France that the protesters were based on Saturday.
Why gilets jaunes ?
The protesters are wearing neon yellow vests that all French drivers are supposed to have in their cars. A law that took effect in 2008 requires a “high-visibility upper-body garment” to be within reach inside the passenger compartment in case the driver has to get out of the immobilized vehicle.
Though the idea behind these protests is peaceful, they have become increasingly destructive. In France, by Monday, 528 people had been injured (17 seriously) and 92 police officers were injured.
The government has responded by defending this increase in fuel. Macron, in his first comments about the protests, acknowledged that it's "normal" that people are expressing frustration. He said he’s trying to "change habits" by weaning the French off fossil fuels, "which is never simple". He reiterated promises of subsidies for low-income households to buy cleaner cars or switch to cleaner home heating methods.
However La Réunion is experiencing its worst wave of violence in nearly 30 years.
Since Saturday, each night has been a violent battle between protesters and the police. On Monday alone, 30 policemen had been wounded. Shops have been vandalised, cars burned, and even grenades have been used, despite the curfew set in place (whereby members of the public are not allowed out from 9pm to 6am).
This nocturnal violence has caused so much damage to roads and shops. At Port (a town on the west of the island), a major fire occurred at the Sacré-Coeur roundabout.
This week, the island has been at a standstill. Schools and administrations remain closed, and busses are not running.
Macron wrote on Twitter late on Wednesday, adding that the paramilitary police would be deployed. "We will be uncompromising because we can't accept the things we've seen," he added.
According to a member of the government, "this violence is the result of gangs of young people who have nothing to do with this gilets jaunes movement and their goal is to take advantage of a social movement to loot, vandalise and destroy".
In addition to the security response to the current crisis, it has been said that "the tax on fuel in Réunion will be frozen over 3 years".
Why are the people of La Réunion so angry?
It goes without saying that France has handled the situation in Réunion horrendously. Though Réunion island is located south of the equator, it is still a part of France. The situation here has escalated to such a point that violence is used because France failed to invest more of its economy into the development of its departments.
Réunion has the highest percentage of unemployment in the whole of Europe at around 30% (though it is argued higher according to other reports) and 60% for young people*. 40% of the population is below the poverty line. Yet despite this poverty, the prices here are higher than metropolitan France; in fact products are on average 10.6% more expensive. Personally I find it sad that this beautiful and culturally diverse island has been so badly neglected.
Despite all of this violence, the people of Réunion see this protest as a significant moment of history. They have been successful in making an impact.
They have paralysed the island, causing schools and shops to close. They have blocked a total of 37 roads. They have given authorities no choice but to set curfews in the main cities. They have included the participation of children, some of which are under 10 years old. They have no leader. Thanks to social networks, they organise events together and they all share the common aim; to denounce the rising fuel prices, unemployment and poverty.
However a question remains; how long will this social crisis last?
What do you think of the gilets jaunes? And what do you think of the situation in Réunion?
If you'd like to read more about the gilets jaunes movement in Réunion, click here (in French).