Macron in panic as French fuel tax rise scrapped in face of protests

Just 24 hours after Edouard Philippe, the French prime minister, said the tax rise would merely be “suspended” for six months, the French government has announced it will  scrap its proposed tax on diesel and petrol due to be imposed in the 2019 budget. It is an increasing sign of panic by centrist President Macron, whose popularity has slumped to 23 per cent after three weeks of unrest in France. Protesters say they can longer afford the raft of taxes and charges imposed by his government. However, the latest back down by Macron may not be enough to satisfy protesters. The fuel tax issue has grown into general anger at higher taxes and living costs, and broader criticism of President Macron's big business friendly economic policies.