French police fired tear gas and arrested more than 200 people in Paris on Saturday as “yellow vest” protesters returned to the capital’s streets for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown, news wires reported. The movement began in late 2018 in protest against fuel taxes and economic reform, posing a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron.

French police fired tear gas and made dozens of arrests on Saturday as they dispersed groups of “yellow vest” protesters attempting to stage unauthorized rallies in central Paris. The government deployed a massive police presence as it feared yellow-vest supporters would take advantage of authorized protests over climate change and pension reform to cause disruption in the French capital.

Revived “yellow vest” protests against the government of President Emmanuel Macron took place in France on Saturday, news wires reported. Hundreds of demonstrators faced police in a tense stand-off in the French city of Nantes. Police responded with tear gas after some protesters threw projectiles.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised significant tax cuts but also urged for a return to public order in France, as he revealed on Thursday his long-awaited response to nearly half a year of street protests. In his headline announcement, Macron vowed to "significantly" reduce income tax for workers in France, while defending his controversial decision to scrap a wealth tax early in his term, news wires reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron has signed into law legislation giving security forces greater powers at demonstrations that opponents claim violates civil liberties.The bill, which was approved by lawmakers in February, aims to crack down on violence that has marred the "yellow vest" protest movement, which has rocked France since erupting in November.

French PM Edouard Philippe will present today plans to crack down on street rioters, after a new flare-up of violence linked to the yellow vest protest movement during the weekend, news wires reported. On Saturday, vandals ransacked stores and restaurants while lighting fires along Paris’ Champs Elysees avenue and clashed with police.

French police fired tear gas and arrested dozens on Saturday in clashes with yellow vest movement protesters as they threw cobblestones at riot police in front of Paris’ Arc de Triumph monument, news wires reported. Bonfires were started in nearby streets, with at least one car put in flames. The yellow vests seek to inject new impetus into the four-month old revolt against President Emmanuel Macron and his pro-business reforms.

A new opinion poll in France has confirmed that the public have turned against the yellow vests with the majority of the French people now wanting the protesters to end their movement, news wires reported. While so far polls have repeatedly shown the public overwhelmingly backed movement, a new poll on Sunday for France Inter radio and L'Express magazine revealed that 55% of French people now want the yellow vests to end their weekly protests.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he’ll present a plan within a few days to help businesses that suffer by the Yellow vests demonstrations. Le Maire, in an interview to French newspaper Midi Libre, published on Sunday, said his proposal will include delays to tax payments and support from the treasury.

France has recalled its ambassador to Rome, Christian Masset, for consultations, news wires reported on Thursday. The French Foreign ministry said the move was related to "groundless attacks by Italy without precedent since the end of the war" and "outrageous statements" by the Italian government. "Disagreeing is one thing, exploiting relations for electoral ends is another," the ministry added.