France abandons fuel tax increase in 2019

Speaking at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe declared the government will drop the measure from the 2019 budget. He also said the next planned rise in the carbon tax on vehicle fuel, which had been due to come in on 1 January, would be suspended for six months to allow consultations. Planned increases in gas and electricity prices this winter will be halted. French President Macron’s plan to raise fuel tax has sparked a massive street protest since mid-November. The riots have left 4 people dead and more than 260 injured.