France's President Emmanuel Macron has promised a minimum wage rise and tax concessions in response to weeks of violent protests.

France has seen four weekends of violent protests against fuel tax rises, living costs and other issues.

Speaking in a televised address to the nation, Macron said that the anger of protesters was "deep, and in many ways legitimate".

He said, a planned tax increase for low‑income pensioners would be cancelled, while employers would be asked to pay a tax‑free end of year bonus to employees.

Armoured vehicles were deployed in Paris ahead of the 'yellow vest' demonstration [Photo: Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency]

Macron, who has until now kept a low profile during the protests, acknowledged that many people were unhappy with living conditions and felt they "had not been listened to".

Macron, a former banker, has previously been criticised for being out of touch and not listening to the struggles of ordinary people.

[Source: BBC]