Shortly before the originally planned broadcasting date, French President Emmanuel Macron has canceled an important televised address because of the fire of the Paris Cathedral Notre-Dame. This confirmed the Élysée Palace. When Macron wants to hold the speech on the results of a months-long civil debate now, was initially open.

"I am sad that tonight I have to see this part of us all burning," Macron said in the face of the broken fire in the cathedral.

He had launched the "National Debate" in January in response to the yellow vests' protests - now he wanted to make concessions on television. According to French media reports, a reduction in income tax, relief for low-income recipients, or single-parent benefits were under discussion.

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Paris: Notre-Dame is on fire

Above the Notre Dame Cathedral, a landmark of the French capital, there were flames and a huge column of smoke in the evening. The police confirmed the fire, but did not disclose any further information on request.

AFP

Emmanuel Macron (

The protests of the yellow vests are directed against the perceived as too low purchasing power in France and against Macron and its reform policy. Some representatives of the protest movement demand the resignation of the president. According to authorities, last weekend some 31,000 people protested