Macron's attempt to quell yellow vest protests satisfy few

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the Elysee Palace Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Paris. Macron makes a speech at the Elysee presidential palace based on three months of national debate aimed at addressing the protesters' concerns through town hall meetings and collecting complaints online. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Members of the media raise their hands as French President Emmanuel Macron answering questions during a media conference at the Elysee Palace Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Paris. Macron makes a speech at the Elysee presidential palace based on three months of national debate aimed at addressing the protesters' concerns through town hall meetings and collecting complaints online. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron is satisfying few of his critics as he tries to quell five months of yellow vest protests with a mix of tax cuts and attempts to bridge the gap between the Paris elite and the rest of the country.

With promises of a tax cut for 15 million people, an end to the shuttering of rural hospitals and schools and the closure of the national administration school — his alma mater — Macron's speech was an attempt to meet some of the demands of the protesters who have shaken his presidency.

Thierry-Paul Valette, one of the yellow vest organizers, said Friday he was disappointed.

"He is still in denial of the social movement that France has been going through for the past five months," Valette said.

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