The French government’s proposed eco tax, scheduled for 1 January 2014, was suspended but the protests have continued.
After waves of demonstrations in the country, especially in Brittany, the government decided not to implement the tax demand on the planned date.
But protestors, dubbed red caps after the bonnet rouges in Brittany who protested against tax in the 17th century, have not been stilled. They wish to see the tax rescinded altogether.
Under the banner of uniting in disgust at their rising tax burden, farmers, land owners, business leaders and worker have come together.
The November anti-tax demonstration descended into chaos and violence. Since then scores of the traffic cameras have been vandalised and burned. This Sunday, demonstrators plan to occupy motorway bridges throughout Brittany.
The focus on motorways and traffic cameras their association with the movement of goods lorries which were to have been liable for the eco tax.
New organising committees are said to be springing up in various parts of the region. Attempts to structure them into a federation will take place at a meeting in early January.
A congress is planned in March to formally take up Breton grievances, according to the original committee.
Unemployment in the area is already running at 10% more than the national rate, and many fear it could still increase further. The number has been fuelled recently by job losses mostly in the food processing industry.
But it is expected that some relief will be found after a Chinese company decided to invest €100 million in a factory to produce milk powder for export to China.
