France Fuel Protests: 18 arrested in clashes with Paris police

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02:37

Fires and tear gas on the Champs-Elysees. Police and protesters have clashed over rising fuel taxes. Two people have been killed, 18 arrested since the unrest began eight days ago. And the demonstrations have taken on political overtones. CGTN's Elena Casas has details.

It started as a protest over tax rises on diesel but it's become a lightning rod for a wide range of grievances over the cost of living.

"People are fed up of being flattened by taxes, they treat you like a criminal if you drive, they treat you like a criminal if you own a diesel car."

"People's spending power has been falling for years and their taxes are rising, if you're on the minimum wage it's not possible anymore."

"We want the government to do a U-turn, we want them to understand how people live, they're all living in a bubble where they've got no money worries, MPs moan about earning 5,000 euros a month, we earn 12 hundred, 13 hundred."

The complaint that President Macron is arrogant and out of touch is everywhere among these demonstrators - many chanted calls for him to resign.

ELENA CASAS PARIS "Thousands of people have ignored a police ban on protesting here to fill the Champs Elysees behind me - they've torn down barricades and ripped up paving stones to throw at police, who responded with tear gas."

Some demonstrators pulled down fences from construction sites to block the road, and set fire to a parked van. They were pushed back with water cannon.

CHRISTOPHE CASTANER FRENCH INTERIOR MINISTER "What I've seen since this morning is that far right troublemakers have answered the call of Marine Le Pen, and others, and want to attack institutions including the police and members of parliament."

But these demonstrations were spontaneously organized via social media - and many here reject what they see as attempts by right-wing politicians to co-opt them. The lack of central organization or clear aims makes it hard to judge where this movement will go next. The yellow vests say they'll keep protesting until President Macron is forced to listen. Elena Casas, CGTN, Paris.