Protests in France: Who is behind the "yellow vests"?

Protesters fought street battles with the police, ransacked stores, stormed the triumphal arch: they were pictures of the violence that went from Paris around the world over the weekend.

The "yellow vests" had begun with spontaneous protests against government policy. Meanwhile, they stand for a nationwide movement: On Saturday were tens of thousands across the country on the streets.

For President Emmanuel Macron, the demonstrators are increasingly becoming a problem - not just because some of them are obviously ready to use violence. France's head of state was on the way back from the G20 summit in Argentina this weekend as the situation in the country escalated. The police arrested more than 400 people, in southern France a man was killed. It is already the third death since the protests began.

The government now wants to sit down with the "yellow vests" to the negotiating table. But who is she actually dealing with? Answers to the most important questions:

Who are the "yellow vests"?

Already a few months ago, the anti-government protest movement "Mouvement des Gilets Jaunes" (Movement of the Yellow West) had formed in France. It is named after safety vests, which wear their followers as a distinctive mark.

On the social networks, they organized the first major mass protests: Raging over the planned tax increase on fuels gathered on 17 November nationwide on rallies: Overall, it should have been on this day, according to Interior Ministry 300,000 participants. A week later, it was reported that across France again 106,000 people on the streets, last Saturday, there were 136,000.

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But the protests are becoming more and more violent. According to observers, both left-wing and right-wing extremist groups and violent perpetrators from the suburbs are responsible for this.

Politically, the "yellow vests" can not be clearly located. Among them are many workers, even though unions have not yet officially called for support to the movement.

Behind the movement is also no party, also have the "yellow vests" no leader in the classical sense. However, an eight-person board was appointed, including a truck driver, a real estate agent and a Hypnosetherapeutin. They are now negotiating with the government.

What do you want?

Initially, the protest of the "yellow vests" was directed against the gasoline taxes, which are expected to rise again on 1 January. But the group has long since raised further demands. In a catalog, she advocates lowering "all taxes," a significant increase in pensions and minimum wages, and more resources for the police. In addition, the "yellow vests" demand more schools and hospitals as well as better roads, a re-nationalization of privatized energy companies and better integration of migrants.

The "yellow vests" are also protesting against the dwindling purchasing power and growing social hardship in the country. They turn increasingly directly against Macron. The protests regularly include chants calling for the resignation of the president.

What do the protests mean for the government?

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met on Monday at the behest of President Macron leading representatives of the parties and parliamentary groups. On Wednesday, the Parliament should deal in special sessions with the crisis. Even discussions with representatives of the "yellow vests" themselves are apparently planned. According to news agency AFP, Philippe could meet with group spokesmen on Tuesday.

There are already calls from the opposition to cancel the planned tax increases. Republican leader Laurent Wauquiez spoke of a "gesture of reassurance." However, Macron's spokesman was already aware that the government was not thinking of changing course.

Instead, the government is considering further "measures". In France it is speculated that this could include the state of emergency. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner had not ruled out such a move on Saturday. Interior Secretary Laurent Nuñez later assured, however, that a return to state of emergency was "not on the agenda". This was introduced in response to the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and was lifted at the end of 2017.

One thing is clear: Macron is about much more than tax and energy policy. Since the summer, the poll numbers of the president have fallen rapidly. Pollsters are already warning against a movement that links fear of immigrants with criticism of social divisions.

At any rate, an end to the protests is not in sight. In the social networks, the "yellow vests" continue to mobilize. New demonstrations are already announced for next Saturday.