More than 1,300 arrests were made as hundreds of thousands of people took part in another day of protests across France on Saturday that were followed by some clashes later in the day, officials have said.
After largely peaceful demonstrations, police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters in a number of cities including Paris, while barricades were set alight in Marseille and people ripped boards from a shop in Bordeaux.
Officials have so far managed to avoid rioting and looting on the scale seen last weekend, which resulted in some of the worst scenes of disorder in France’s modern history.
The best is yet to come
One protester complained that taxes are too high. How does he expect to have better schools without higher taxes? This shows the protesters do not know how to achieve their desires.
There are many talking points in France regarding this. Here are a few left wing ones one might hear at these protests:
- As in all Western countries, the tax system is effectively regressive, with the ultra wealthy (100M€+ in assets) paying only 10–15% taxes compared to 30–35% in the rest of society. The so-called “Zucman tax” sought to address this, but it failed in parliament in spite of very favorable polling across the citizenry
- President Macron has implemented a supply-side economic strategy with generous subsidies to companies. Left parties would use this money on the demand side instead (salary increases and such)
- Amidst cuts, the government has increased the army and police budgets, which the left sees as adventurism and repression.
- Pensions are very expensive and some want to reduce them (very explosive topic).
- This isn’t specifically left wing but the top levels of government are often seen as corrupt and money might be getting embezzled.
- Yes, all Western countries must address the problem of regressive taxes.
- Subsidies might be important in helping new industries such as in AI. It’s better to let the free market determine salary.
- Increasing the military budget is probably OK considering the dangers in the world. The size of the police budget depends on the crime rate in France.
- Pensions should be decreased. More should be invested in schools since this helps the young but like you said it is an explosive issue.
Well, I just wanted to show it is very much possible the protester you were referring to had a well thought-out position regarding taxation and government finances. All of these issues are complex enough that I feel I’d make a fool of myself trying to address each through a single sentence. I’m glad you personally have such a clear outlook on them though.
After largely peaceful demonstrations, police fired tear gas and water cannon
I just thought this line could do with highlighting.
As is tradtion*
You forgot this part
