Dissent within the movement has already started, between the promoters of a 'hard' line (-> to continue the protests/road blocks, to demand Macron's resignation, to refuse to discuss with politicians) and those who want to
'talk'/come to some compromise with the government. Of course, the media are all too happy to report such infighting which puts the YV movement into jeopardy:
Jacline Mouraud, a figure in the "yellow vest" movement, believes that dialogue with the government must now be given way and that mobilization must stop at roundabouts.
Two days before another Saturday feared by the government and 48 hours after the Strasbourg attack that killed at least three people, Benjamin Griveaux called on Thursday morning not to demonstrate.
On RTL, Jacline Mouraud, who had repeatedly called out to the Head of State in videos that became viral, tried to calm the situation down.
While it is necessary to "continue the fight", she believes that we must discuss. "I don't think standing at roundabouts picking daisies next Spring is going to change government policy. You have to act intelligently and strategically," she says.
As a reminder, a 23-year-old young man died this Thursday morning after being hit by a truck on a roundabout in Avignon. This is the sixth death on the fringe of the movement since it began on 17 November.
"The door is open for us to meet the members of the government, everyone must make appointments to do so," continues the movement's initiator.
When asked about the conspiracy theories largely fuelled by "yellow vests" on the Internet since the attack on the Christmas market, Jacline Mouraud considers them "downright despicable".
A meeting between elected officials and "yellow vests" turns into a clash
While elected officials had agreed to meet "yellow vests" near Limoges (Haute-Vienne), another group of "yellow vests" did not like it, says 20 minutes. The scene turned into a brawl.
It was supposed to be a pacification meeting.
But the interview turned into a skirmish. Near Limoges, elected officials had agreed to meet a group of "yellow vests", more precisely the "citizens 87" collective. An interview not really to the liking of other "yellow vests", reports 20 Minutes. The reason?
They had not been invited, and obviously did not want to discuss.
On Tuesday evening, nearly fifteen local elected officials of all tendencies accepted the group's invitation to a restaurant in Saint-Just-le-Martel.
But the situation worsened when the uninvited "yellow vests" tried to enter the establishment.
At first they were turned away, but then they tried to talk to one of the meeting organizers, but then blows were exchanged. A man, himself hit, hit another man with a motorcycle helmet, injuring him in the head before everyone was dispersed shortly before 9pm.
Condemned violence
Violent acts that have been ongoing in recent days and have been denounced by the "citizens 87" collective. "Gangs are calling for a rally right now. It is better to leave".
In the other group, any responsibility is rejected,
arguing that it is simply a request for information. "We just wanted to know in what name they were organizing this meeting. These people are not representative of the movement, they have no legitimacy. They claim to be apolitical but they hold meetings with politicians. It was obviously going to end like that," explained a member of the group "united yellow vests 87", in comments relayed by 20 Minutes.
A war of ego and influence that is beginning to undermine the movement from within.