French President Emmanuel Macron has defended plans to increase the cost of fuel despite mounting protests. Demonstrators have been blocking roads for the past 12 days over the escalating price of petrol and diesel. The protests have now spread, encompassing wider anger about the cost of living. At least two people have died and more than 600 have been injured. CGTN's Oliver Whitfield-Miocic reports.

An explosive issue that just won't go away. Hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated against the rising cost of fuel over the past two weeks.

The movement is dubbed the yellow jackets because of the mandatory high visibility vests drivers must carry inside their cars in case their vehicles break down.

Last weekend, the protests turned violent as some people called for French President Emmanuel Macron to resign.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "I understand these fellow citizens, but I will not give in to those who seek destruction and disorder."

Macron remained resolute on Tuesday. He still plans to hike taxes on petrol and diesel in the new year. But he tried to placate voters with government subsidies for green energy initiatives. Macron says it's not just his administration which is to blame.

EMMANUEL MACRON FRENCH PRESIDENT "This tax was voted in 2009, 2014, 2015, committing political figures of various persuasions to it."

The president says the taxes are needed to meet climate change goals.

OLIVER WHITFIELD-MIOCIC PARIS "The cost of filling up a diesel car has risen 23% in the last year. President Macron blames the global oil market and has promised to adapt fuel taxes to the price fluctuations. But that's unlikely to be enough for drivers."

The French have accused Macron of being arrogant and out of touch, something, analysts say, doesn't sit well with many citizens.

ALEXIS POULIN POLITICAL ANALYST "I think he has to change the way he talks to people. He has to listen and he has to admit that he made some mistakes and say, 'I'm sorry about this'. But it's too late."

Almost three-quarters of voters no longer support President Macron according to the latest opinion polls. Macron may not be changing his position on fuel taxes, but he is hoping to show he is hearing protesters' wider worries. The question now is whether French voters will really believe he is listening. Oliver Whitfield Miocic, CGTN, Paris.