Paris: Emmanuel Macron's government on Tuesday defended a financial relief package to quell the "yellow vest" revolt over taxes and living standards, hoping to end protests which have spiralled into violence in Paris and other cities.
Over 21 million people watched a visibly contrite Macron declare a "state of economic and social emergency" in a televised address Monday, promising billions of euros in aid for the lowest earners.
It was a stark retreat for the 40-year-old former investment banker, who until now had vigorously argued his tax policies and economic reforms were the only way to prepare France for the challenges of the 21st century.
The new measures, including a 100-euro jump in the minimum wage next year, are expected to cost up to 11 billion euros ($12.5 billion) -- and are likely to put France on a collision course with Brussels.
The government had already scrapped fuel tax increases set for January -- a core demand of the yellow vests -- which will cost a further 4.5 billion euros.
The country's deficit is likely to exceed the EU's mandated 3.0 percent of GDP limit at least "temporarily," Richard Ferrand, the parliament president from Macron's Republic on the Move party, told RTL radio.
Having "a stable France" is the priority as the protests expose deep social divisions while taking a heavy economic toll, Ferrand said, adding: "We can't continue like this."
Even so, the measures might not mollify enough protesters to call off road blockades and weekly demonstrations in Paris which have seen fierce clashes with police and extensive burning and looting over the past two Saturdays.
Although some "yellow vests" were open to Macron's olive branches, others said they were not ready to call a halt to the protests.
"Initially I thought Macron had heard us at least a bit, but when you look at the details, he hasn't at all," said Thomas Miralles, a yellow vest spokesman in the southern Pyrenees-Orientales department.
"I'll be in Paris on Saturday, for the first time," he added.
The "yellow vest" movement which erupted via social media in October has enjoyed broad public support, but recent surveys suggest it may be waning.
An OpinionWay poll for LCI television after Macron's speech showed 54 percent wanting the "yellow vest" protests to halt, compared with 46 percent in favour of further action.
Another poll, by Odoxa, found 54 percent in favour of continued protests -- down from 66 percent on November 22 -- and 46 percent opposing the movement.
Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told BFM television that the minimum wage hike, including a planned inflation adjustment, would put an additional 125 euros in the pockets of millions of the lowest earners.
It won't weigh on firms' finances since the increase will come via a higher monthly government top-up of 80 euros for low earners and a 20-euro reduction in payroll charges.
Macron will also do away with payroll taxes on overtime hours, while scrapping a tax on pensioners earning less than 2,000 euros a month. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe was to present the fine print of Macron's proposals to lawmakers Tuesday.
Labour unions, which have largely been relegated to the sidelines during the anti-government protests, gave a cool reception to Macron's speech, not least his call for firms to pay a tax-free bonus to workers this Christmas -- without making it obligatory.
And Macron excluded the return of a "wealth tax" on high earners he abolished last year, a move which led to his unwanted reputation as a "president of the rich", although he hinted that big firms would be tapped to help pay for the higher wages and pensions.
His ratings have sunk, with a recent poll showing just 23 percent approved his actions.
"I know that I have hurt some of you with my statements," Macron said, alluding to comments seen as dismissive of the plight of many who live outside the big cities.
In one instance, he told an unemployed gardener that all he had to do to find work was to "cross the street" where restaurants, cafes or construction firms were hiring.
Some protesters were quick to dismiss Macron's loosening of government purse strings, vowing to hold a fifth straight Saturday of protests in the capital this weekend.
"It's just window dressing for the media, some trivial measures, it almost seems like a provocation," said Thierry, a 55-year-old bicycle mechanic at a roundabout blockade in the southern town of Le Boulou.
