French premier holds talks after violent protests in Paris

PARIS: French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe met with political rivals on Monday in a bid to ease the anger of protesters, after facing widespread criticism following violent anti-government protests that rocked Paris.

More than 130 people were injured and 412 arrested on Saturday in the French capital amid the nation's worst riot in a generation. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, closing down dozens of streets and subway stations to contain the riot.

By Sunday, some of the most popular tourist streets in Paris were littered with torched cars and broken glass from looted shops and the Arc de Triomphe monument was tagged with graffiti.

French President Emmanuel Macron, just back from the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, held an emergency meeting on Sunday on security and the government hasn't ruled out the possibility of imposing a state of emergency.

It was the third straight weekend of clashes in Paris, led by protesters wearing distinctive yellow traffic vests. The protests began last month with motorists upset over a fuel tax hike and have grown to encompass a range of complaints that Macron's government doesn't care about the problems of ordinary people. Yet other protests in France on the same topic on Saturday remained peaceful.

Philippe and Macron have been lambasted for their handling of the crisis. After meeting with the prime minister, socialist leader Olivier Faure urged Philippe to drop the tax hikes and to restore a wealth tax that was slashed by the centrist government.

"We want a change in the method. One needs to come down from Mount Olympus," Faure said, referring to Macron's Greek god nickname of Jupiter.

Laurent Wauquiez, head of center-right Les Republicains party, urged Macron to hold a referendum to end the crisis but did not say what its topic should be.

"French people need to be heard again, and for that we must organize a referendum to decide these issues. Only these measures will restore calm," Wauquiez said.

More anti-government protests took place on Monday as ambulance workers took to the streets near the national assembly in Paris to complain about changes to working conditions. Protesters set tires on fire and blocked traffic. One activist held up a sign reading "The State killed me" and others chanted "Macron resign!"

The yellow vest movement is bringing together people from across the political spectrum complaining about France's economic inequalities and waning spending power.

Since the movement kicked off on November 17, three people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes or accidents stemming from the protests. Over the past three weeks, protesters have been setting up road blockades across the country and their movement has garnered wide public support.

Philippe will try to defuse tensions this week before more possible protests this weekend, speaking with yellow vest representatives on Tuesday. Members of the national assembly will also hold talks on France's social crisis later this week.