Skyrocketing fuel costs spark mass protests in France, Spain and Albania
By ethanh // 2022-03-23
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Europeans are fuming over rapidly inflating fuel, energy, and food costs, which are sparking protests across many areas of the continent. On March 21, several locations around France saw blockade protests with professional drivers calling for greater governmental support amid the crisis. Bouches-du-Rhône, Doubs, Manche, Pas-de-Calais, Nord and Charente-Maritime all saw HGV, taxi, coach, and construction industry drivers show up in large numbers to participate. "Blocking of the Feyzin refinery in Lyon by truckers, farmers and construction workers since early this morning against soaring fuel prices," read an English translation of a tweet about the protests. Outrage is spreading across France despite the government unveiling a "resilience plan" financial package that aims to help households and businesses cope with high energy and fuel costs. Part of that plan is to discount nearly all fuel types by 15 cents per liter starting on April 1. Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari also met with representatives from various industries that are dependent on driving and fuel to discuss other measures. The Organisation des Transporteurs Routiers Européens (OTRE) welcomed the existing measures "with satisfaction" and also noted "the prime minister's desire to bring together professional transport organizations around the transport minister to outline the details of additional aids to combat the losses made over recent weeks." At the same time, the federation judged the government's current promises as "insufficient," calling for "a financial aid which is direct, with complementary measures per vehicle."

400,000 Spanish farmers and other agricultural workers protested in Madrid

In Spain, thousands of farmers and hunters converged on Madrid to protest rising prices as well. Dubbed "20M Rural," the demonstration saw as many as 150,000 agricultural workers, according to reports, waving Spanish flags and blowing whistles as they marched through the streets. Much like the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, the Spanish protests saw a line of tractors blowing their horns in unison along with calls to action. "The countryside has come to say 'Enough of the government pimping us and putting the food and work of many people at risk,'" said Pedro Barato, head of the agricultural employers' association ASAJA, adding that if protesters' demands are not met, the "irresponsibility" of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will be demonstrated. "Today is the start of looking for solutions," Barato added. "Enough is enough. Let the head of government stop traveling and start acting." The protest's organizers said more than 400,000 people actually took part in the 20M Rural protests, not just 150,000 as the media claimed. In Albania, there have been more than two weeks' worth of protests that have taken place as locals call for an immediate price freeze on energy, as well as the suspension of VAT on certain food items. All around the world, it seems, people are rising up to call for action from their governments in response to runaway inflation and the continued impoverishment of working people – except in the United States. Americans seem to be too busy "influencing" on TikTok to take a stand against this gross exploitation by Wall Street and the central banks against stable economies. "The sanctions included such measures as asset freezes affecting an extended list of Russian officials and businessmen, as well as the closure of airspace over most European countries and curbs on exports and imports of certain goods, raw materials and energy sources," Strange Sounds reported. "These sanctions have already had an impact on the global economy, as many countries are now experiencing rising prices on energy, gas and other commodities due to the disruption of supply chains." More related news coverage about the global economic implosion can be found at Collapse.news. Sources include: StrangeSounds.org NaturalNews.com
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