THEY'RE RIOTING IN PARIS, AND IT'S SERIOUS – AT 1:34 P.M. ET:   We've had hints in recent months that the French government is becoming increasingly unstable.   President Macron makes Donald Trump look loved. 

Now, discontent is pouring into the streets.  As is usual with these things, it took one issue to trigger the chaos.  From Fox:

Thousands of French protesters flooded the nation’s capital Saturday to demonstrate against President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial fuel tax increase -- clashing with policies as they called for Macron’s resignation.

The angry clashes, both in Paris and other towns and cities across the country, marks the eighth day of “yellow jacket” protests against the tax, but have also come to encompass a growing anger against Macron and the French ruling class -- seen by many as out of touch.

The yellow jackets have become a uniform of sorts for the protesters, originating from the neon yellow jackets French drivers are required to keep in their vehicles.

Authorities said that at least 8,000 protesters flooded the Champs-Elysees in Paris alone, with 81,000 protesters in total nationwide compared to 244,000 last Saturday. Police deployed some 3,000 security forces after an attempt to march on the Elysee Palace last week.

Police used smoke, tear gas and even a water cannon to try and disperse the protesters. , Le Monde reported.

Officials said that a no-go zone, set up around key areas including the presidential palace and the National Assembly on the Left Bank of the Seine River, has not been breached.

At least eight people, including two police officers, were injured, while dozens of protesters were detained, including for throwing projectiles.

In La Madeleine, an area filled with luxury brand shops popular with tourists, businesses shut down due to the protests.

Demonstrators created a fire barricade and began chanting “Macron resign!” when tear gas was launched at them, sparking a brief dash. Thick black smoke was billowing into the sky and the area was completely shut down.

COMMENT:  President Macron was recently noticed giving a lecture to President Trump on the subject of nationalism.  He might have attended to business.

This story is likely to grow. 

November 24,  2018