France has been gripped by protests sparked by anger over fuel tax rises, which have mushroomed into demonstrations against the ruling class. The Guardian’s Angelique Chrisafis has been covering what were supposed to be peaceful protests. Plus: Owen Jones argues that if a ‘Brexit betrayal’ narrative takes hold, Britain’s far right is poised to capitalise

When French voters elected Emmanuel Macron in May 2017, there was hope that a populist trend in Europe had been bucked and a youthful reformist president became a shining example of what was still possible in centrist politics.

But things have soured. Now France has been gripped by protests sparked by anger over fuel tax rises, which have mushroomed into demonstrations against the ruling class. The Guardian’s Paris correspondent, Angelique Chrisafis, has been following the Macron presidency and watching as his approval ratings have plummeted.

Also today: in our opinion section, the Guardian’s Owen Jones argues that if a “Brexit betrayal” narrative takes hold, Britain’s far right is poised to capitalise.