‘Yellow vests’ unimpressed with President Macron’s offer of financial relief, with some calling it a charade

Groups of “yellow vest” protesters across France responded scathingly to the “crumbs” offered by President Emmanuel Macron in a speech intended to defuse their revolt, but others acknowledged his efforts.

“Nonsense”, “a charade”, “a bluff” and “a drop in the ocean”, were among the immediate reactions that greeted the head of state’s televised speech on Monday evening announcing a range of financial measures.

More than 21 million people watched a visibly contrite Macron declare a “state of economic and social emergency”, while loosening the government’s purse strings to bolster the minimum wage and pension payouts for millions of people.

The measures, whose cost is estimated at 8 to 10 billion euros (US$9-US$11.4 billion), include a 100-euro jump in the minimum wage next year, on top of the 1.8 per cent increase already announced to keep up with inflation.

His address came 48 hours after protesters fought street battles with riot police in Paris, hurling missiles, torching cars and looting shops.

At a roundabout in the southern town of Le Boulou, some 150 “yellow vests” gathered around a loudspeaker listened carefully to the president’s words before starting to shout in chorus.

“He is trying to do a pirouette to land back on his feet but we can see that he isn’t sincere, that it’s all smoke and mirrors,” said Jean-Marc, a car mechanic.