Le Pen Blames French Government for Violence at Fuel Tax Protests in Paris
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French National Rally (RN) political party, on Saturday blamed the French government for the flare-up of violence at demonstrations in Paris over rising fuel prices in response to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner's accusations.
Violence erupted on the Champs Elysees earlier in the day as police clashed with protesters who reportedly wanted to reach the Elysee Palace nearby. Some protesters sang the French national anthem, while others carried banners with slogans calling for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation. Castaner blamed Le Pen for urging ultra-right protesters to come to the Champs Elysees.
"He [Castaner] is responsible [for violence], it is the strategy of tension used by the government over the past week, which seeks to .
.. demonize the 'yellow vest' [protesters]," Le Pen told the BFMTV broadcaster.
She denied having encouraged the protests on the Champs Elysees, calling on the rioters to stop the violence, which will "discredit a legitimate [protest] movement."
Castaner said that around 23,000 people were taking part in demonstrations across France on Saturday, the second weekend of "yellow vest" fuel tax protests.
The price of diesel in France has risen by around 23 percent this year, while the gasoline price has gone up by 15 percent. Prices are set to increase further in January.