Fuel tax rises which have led to weeks of civil unrest in France have now been postponed for six months.
The move was announced in a televised address by PM Edouard Philippe, who said anyone would have “to be deaf or blind” not to hear or see the anger.
The violent “gilets jaunes” (yellow vest) protests had hit major cities in the country, causing damage and disruption over the past three weekends. It is called “yellow vests” because demonstrators took to the streets wearing the high-visibility yellow clothing that is required to be carried in every vehicle by French law.
Four people have died since the unrest began and the resulting violence and vandalism have been widely condemned.
President Emmanuel Macron was elected last year with an overwhelming mandate for sweeping economic reform, but his popularity has fallen sharply in recent months amid accusations that he is a “president for the rich”.
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