Defiant Yellow Vest demonstrators marched through Nantes and Lyon

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Defiant Yellow Vest demonstrators marched through Nantes and Lyon where rallies against Mr Macron’s government ended with riot police intervention. Shocking images show clouds of tear gas deployed as police fight off civilians in crowded streets enveloped by stunned onlookers. In one picture, protesters wear gas masks, unfazed by the gas as some are carried away by French officers. Despite it being the lowest turnout since demonstrations began last November, the movement remained out in all force protesting President Macron’s hated austerity policies.

Pictures uploaded onto social media show water cannons were also used. One Twitter user dubbed the scenes a “pitched battle” before adding a video of officers closing in on a group with water cannons. In another video a car threatens to plough into officers.

Another Twitter user captions the video: “A young woman with a lot of cold blood stands between them. Shocking image.” The demonstrations remained peaceful after nine people were killed at the peak of the violence late last year. Cars were burned out, buildings were gutted, windows were smashed and landmarks such as the Arc Di Triomphe were gratified by furious protesters.

Initially, the protests began over Mr Macron’s 23 percent fuel hike

Initially, the protests began over Mr Macron’s 23 percent fuel hike. But despite him attempting to curb protests with offers of sweeteners such as benefits for the elderly, they have continued to damage the French economy and caused millions of euros of damage as well as put his future at risk. Days ago it was revealed Mr Macron’s party has been overtaken by Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN) in the latest poll with just weeks to go until the European elections.