Gilets Jaunes: Sixth day of blockades across France
Further disruption to traffic expected in several French regions, but fuel supplies are still getting through authorities insist as they call on motorists again not to panic buy fuel
Gilets Jaunes blockades are continuing in eight regions for a sixth day, as authorities again urged motorists not to panic buy fuel.
Officials have again asked motorists not to panic buy fuel after it was reported that some 80 stations were short on supplies.
The message: "Don't create a shortage" has been repeated by the Hérault prefecture, after the Frontignan and Port-la-Nouvelle depots were reopened allowing trucks to resupply service stations.
"Motorists are invited to be civic-minded, so as not to cause stock shortages by rushing into the stations," the Ariège prefecture also wrote in a statement in which it specified that "the three oil depots that supply the Ariège department were unblocked" on Tuesday and that "deliveries could be ensured again" on the same day.
Protesters on Thursday set up blockades and filters in Brittany, Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Normandy, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire and PACA.
But there was relief for thousands of motorists who were stranded on the northbound A10 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine have after the road was reopened.
The Brest oil depot has been cut off since this morning, according to reports. Access to the port is impossible at the moment and the police have urged people to avoid the area.
In the Ardennes, 60 protesters have blocked the A34 between Reims and Charleville-Mézières since Wednesday evening, according to information from France Bleu Champagne-Ardenne.
Demonstrators have occupied several roundabouts around Le Mans, Sarthe, since last night after they had been removed earlier in the evening, while 60 protesters are blocking access to the A28 motorway.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly was temporarily suspended on Wednesday, when former Presidential candidate Jean Lassalle donned a gilet jaune while Interior Minister Christophe Castener was answering pariliamentary questions.
He refused to remove the vest, despite orders from the President of the Assembly, Richard Ferrand.
Mr Ferrand then instructed Mr Lasalle to, "Go demonstrate outside this hemicycle", before interrupting the meeting.
"This point of order will obviously be recorded in the minutes and you will suffer the consequences," he said.
Strict rules governing acceptable clothing in the Assembly have been in place since December 2017, when MP François Ruffin wore a football shirt to the chamber. Now, MPs must wear 'business attire' that is 'neutral'.
