French ‘Yellow Vests’ Announce Second Round of Protests as Student Anger Grows

Representatives of France’s Yellow Vests movement, which staged protests months ago during the first term of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, said they will hold a second round of rallies on Saturday. The decision comes as students have also taken to the streets on successive days to protest a shortage of teachers and poor conditions in schools, prompting some schools to close.

The Yellow Vests protests stem from discontent over rising living costs, expensive fuel and poor public services, and recent developments have put heavy pressure on the French government. The movement published its protest plan for October 24 on its official website.

Benjamin Ball, editor of the Yellow Vests website, told Agence France-Presse that there was strong demand for a second stage of protests. The current demonstrations clearly show growing public dissatisfaction with economic and social conditions in France.

The movement has for years sought to protest against the French government’s economic policies, and now, alongside student protests, it is adding further pressure on the authorities in Paris.