What next for France’s ‘yellow vest’ protests?

He used a speech to the nation Tuesday to stress that he heard people’s anger, but insisted he would push on with anti-pollution measures.

Acknowledging that protesters worry about surviving “the end of the month” in contrast to his government’s desire to stave off “the end of the world” with greener policies, he promised: “We are going to deal with both.”

After earlier proposals helping poor families failed to stave off the protests, he offered more minor concessions such as a review of fuel taxes in cases of a surge in world oil prices.

Analysts say the protests could deal significant damage to the economy if they continue in the run-up to Christmas.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said large retailers had suffered a 35 percent drop in revenues on the first day of the roadblocks, and an 18 percent drop on Saturday.

However long the protests last, Sainte-Marie said: “What this movement has given birth to — this dissatisfaction and anger with government policies and with Emmanuel Macron — will not go away quickly.”