France's Prime Minister has suspended a fuel tax hike that sparked widespread protests nationwide against it and other policies of President Emmanuel Macron .
The French PM Edouard Philippe announced the move on Tuesday, following crisis talks at the Élysée Palace .
Stating the increase would be suspended for six months, he said: "No tax is worth putting the nation's unity in danger."
As he also announced that electricity and natural gas prices will be frozen until May 2019, he said: "This violence must end."
Bodycam video of police clashing with protesters in Paris
A government source said the postponement of the fuel tax increase will cost 2 billion euros, around £1.7 billion, according to Reuters.
This comes as Mr Macron and Mr Philippe's approval ratings hit new lows as the so-called "yellow vest" protests gathered pace.
Protests in Paris on December 1 turned particularly violent, with the Arc de Triomphe defaced and avenues off Paris's Champs Elysees vandalised.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, center , France's Interior Minister Christophe Castaner , center right, Secretary of State to the Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, left, and Paris police Prefect Michel Delpuech , right (AP)
More than 100 people were injured in the French capital and 412 have been arrested over the weekend, in what was France's worst urban riot in years.
Dozens of cars were torched during the mass acts of vandalism which came with the uproar.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, while they shut down dozens of streets and subway stations to contain the frenzied scenes.
Fires burn as protesters clash with riot police during a 'Yellow Vest' demonstration near the Arc de Triomphe (Getty Images)
The first "yellow vest" demonstrations were held on November 17, originally to contest fuel-tax rises, and have since evolved into a broader protest movement, in part against the policies of President Macron.
The tax, which Mr Macron stated was to combat climate change, would have increased petrol prices by four euro cents per litre from January next year.
Petrol currently costs about 1.42 euro, around £1.20, a litre in Paris, slightly more than diesel.
The demonstrations held over the last weekend marked the third in a row where there were protests, both in Paris and elsewhere in France.
A car burns during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
French member of the National Assembly Jean Lassalle, wearing a yellow vest, addresses media as ambulance drivers block traffic during a protest demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris
Reuters
A demonstrator wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) stands behind barricades blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle, southwestern France
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters work to put out cars set on fire on a road nearby Arc de Triomphe
Getty Images
Demonstrators destroy cars during a protest of "Yellow vests"
AFP/Getty Images
The third 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) rally in Paris over increased fuel taxes and leadership in the government today caused over 150 arrests in the city with reports of injuries to protesters and security forces
Getty Images
A vandalized car is seen on a street the morning after clashes with protesters in Paris
REUTERS
Protesters burnt cars in the streets in the worst rioting in Paris in years
REUTERS
A barrage made of debris blocks a street the morning after clashes with protesters
REUTERS
Hundreds of people were arrested and injured
REUTERS
A policeman patrols outside a vandalized building the morning after clashes
REUTERS
charred cars in a street of Paris on December 2, 2018, a day after clashes during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs
AFP/Getty Images
A passer-by takes a photo of the damage caused in the rioting
REUTERS
A vandalized car is seen the morning after clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel fuel taxes, in Paris, France, December 2, 2018
REUTERS
A yellow vest hangs inside a vandalized store front
REUTERS
Demonstrators destroy a car during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
Demonstrators gather during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
French riot police stand guard during clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes
REUTERS
A protester wearing a yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, holds a French flag during clashes at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris
REUTERS
Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) clash with riot police in a cloud of teargas during a demonstration over high fuel prices on the Champs Elysee in Paris
EPA
Demonstrators raise their arms as they surround the tomb of The Unknown Soldier at The Arc of Triomphe
AFP/Getty Images
French riot Police clear out the Place de l'Etoile with water canons and tear gas around the Arc de Triompe
EPA
Riot police officers chase demonstrators near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) chase a french riot police officer
EPA
Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, face off with French riot police d
REUTERS
A protester holds a French flag during the clash
REUTERS
Demonstrators stand behind a barricade as they face policemen during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs
AFP/Getty Images
Masked demonstrators use street barriers as shields as they clash with riot police officers near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
A car burns during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
French member of the National Assembly Jean Lassalle, wearing a yellow vest, addresses media as ambulance drivers block traffic during a protest demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris
Reuters
A demonstrator wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) stands behind barricades blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle, southwestern France
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators wearing a yellow vest face anti-riot police as demonstrators blocking a road near the oil depot of La Rochelle
AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters work to put out cars set on fire on a road nearby Arc de Triomphe
Getty Images
Demonstrators destroy cars during a protest of "Yellow vests"
AFP/Getty Images
The third 'Yellow Vest' (gilets jaunes) rally in Paris over increased fuel taxes and leadership in the government today caused over 150 arrests in the city with reports of injuries to protesters and security forces
Getty Images
A vandalized car is seen on a street the morning after clashes with protesters in Paris
REUTERS
Protesters burnt cars in the streets in the worst rioting in Paris in years
REUTERS
A barrage made of debris blocks a street the morning after clashes with protesters
REUTERS
Hundreds of people were arrested and injured
REUTERS
A policeman patrols outside a vandalized building the morning after clashes
REUTERS
charred cars in a street of Paris on December 2, 2018, a day after clashes during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs
AFP/Getty Images
A passer-by takes a photo of the damage caused in the rioting
REUTERS
A vandalized car is seen the morning after clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel fuel taxes, in Paris, France, December 2, 2018
REUTERS
A yellow vest hangs inside a vandalized store front
REUTERS
Demonstrators destroy a car during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
Demonstrators gather during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, on December 1, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
French riot police stand guard during clashes with protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes
REUTERS
A protester wearing a yellow vest, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, holds a French flag during clashes at the Place de l'Etoile in Paris
REUTERS
Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) clash with riot police in a cloud of teargas during a demonstration over high fuel prices on the Champs Elysee in Paris
EPA
Demonstrators raise their arms as they surround the tomb of The Unknown Soldier at The Arc of Triomphe
AFP/Getty Images
French riot Police clear out the Place de l'Etoile with water canons and tear gas around the Arc de Triompe
EPA
Riot police officers chase demonstrators near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) chase a french riot police officer
EPA
Protesters wearing yellow vests, a symbol of a French drivers' protest against higher diesel taxes, face off with French riot police d
REUTERS
A protester holds a French flag during the clash
REUTERS
Demonstrators stand behind a barricade as they face policemen during a protest of Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) against rising oil prices and living costs
AFP/Getty Images
Masked demonstrators use street barriers as shields as they clash with riot police officers near the Arc de Triomphe
AP
Three people have died from incidents linked to the protests so far.
Despite the expected U-turn, ahead of the official announcement yellow vest protesters said demonstrations would continue in an attempt to push for further tax reductions.
Benjamin Cauchy, a spokesman for the movement, said: "It's a first step, but we will not settle for a crumb."
On Tuesday, continued to block several fuel depots and many insisted their fight was not over.
M r Macron held an emergency meeting Sunday on security after he arrived back from the Group of 20 summit in Argentina.
The government has not ruled out the possibility of imposing a state of emergency.
French ambulance drivers hold blue, white, red smoke bombs during a demonstration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris (Reuters)
On Monday, French paramedics joined the ongoing anti-government protests, as the prime minister met with political rivals in a bid to ease anger following the violent fallout of the weekend.
Ambulances blocked a bridge leading to the National Assembly while lines of riot police officers stood in the rain to prevent them from getting too close to the building.
Paramedics were involved to complain about changes to working conditions.
Yellow vest protestors demonstrate amid tear gas on the Champs Elysees in Paris
AFP/Getty Images
Protestors clash with riot police amid tear gas during a demonstration of Yellow vests
AFP/Getty Images
Protestors gathered near the Arc de Triomphe
AFP/Getty Images
Riot police face Yellow vests protestors demonstrating near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris
AFP/Getty Images
Yellow vest protestors demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Tear gas was used to disperse crowds
AFP/Getty Images
Police with riot shields attended the scene in Paris
REUTERS
AP
EPA
AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images
A protestor stands in front of a burning vehicle
REUTERS
Yellow vest protestors demonstrate amid tear gas on the Champs Elysees in Paris
AFP/Getty Images
Protestors clash with riot police amid tear gas during a demonstration of Yellow vests
AFP/Getty Images
Protestors gathered near the Arc de Triomphe
AFP/Getty Images
Riot police face Yellow vests protestors demonstrating near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris
AFP/Getty Images
Yellow vest protestors demonstrate near the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on November 24, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Tear gas was used to disperse crowds
AFP/Getty Images
Police with riot shields attended the scene in Paris
REUTERS
AP
EPA
AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images
A protestor stands in front of a burning vehicle
REUTERS
Prominent Socialist Party figure Segolene Royal, a former candidate for president, lauded Mr Philippe's decision on taxes but said it came too late.
She said: "This decision should have been taken from the start, as soon as the conflict emerged. We felt it was going to be very, very hard because we saw the rage, the exasperation, especially from retirees. They should have withdrawn (the tax hikes) right away. The more you let a conflict fester, the more you eventually have to concede."
Laurent Wauquiez, head of centre-right Les Republicains party, previously urged Macron to hold a referendum to end the crisis.
However, he did not say what its topic should be.
"French people need to be heard again, and for that we must organise a referendum to decide these issues. Only these measures will restore calm," Mr Wauquiez said.
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is expected to introduce measures to reduce the tensions
Socialist leader Olivier Faure had also urged the PM to drop the tax hikes and to restore a wealth tax, which was slashed by the centrist government.
"We want a change in the method. One needs to come down from Mount Olympus," Mr Faure said, referring to Macron's Greek god nickname of Jupiter.
Ambulance staff joined with protests on Monday (AFP /Getty Images)
President Macron and Prime Minister Philippe's approval ratings hit new lows amid the actions taken.
Mr Macron's approval rating fell to 23 per cent in the poll conducted late last week, which was down six points on the previous month, according to an Ifop-Fiducial poll for Paris Match and Sud Radio published on Tuesday.
While the French PMs rating fell 10 points to 26 per cent, according to the same research.
President Macron heckled as he visits Arc de Triomphe
The score of the President matches the low charted by his predecessor Francois Hollande in late 2013, according to Paris Match.
Mr Hollande was then considered to be the least popular leader in modern French history.
Due to the protests, Mr Macron has postponed a trip to Serbia which had been scheduled to improve relations between the two countries.
Demonstrators walk by a burning barricade near the Arc de Triomphe during a demonstration (AP)
"President Macron has asked to postpone for several weeks his visit to Serbia due to the situation in his country," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters after a phone call with Macron.
Macron's office confirmed the trip would be postponed because of "the incidents that took place in the last protests."
A football game between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier which was scheduled for Saturday in Paris has also been postponed, as police said they could not guarantee security amid expected protests in the capital.
The government announcement marks Mr Macron’s first significant U-turn on a major policy since taking power last year.
Conservative and Socialist leaders in France have often been forced to withdraw policies because of street protests.
Mr Macron initially insisted he would press ahead with his policy of increasing the price of petrol and diesel in line with the Paris Climate Change agreement. He had said there would be “no possibility whatsoever” of his government backing down in the face of disturbances.
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