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France's Versailles Palace to close over risks of "Yellow Vests" protests

Published : 21 Dec 2018, 02:55

  DF-Xinhua Report
A "Yellow Vests" protester is seen with a rose at the Opera Square in Paris, France, on Dec. 15, 2018. File Photo Xinhua.

French authorities decided to close Palace of Versailles, one of France's most brilliant sites, this weekend on risks of violent protests of "Yellow Vests" who are coordinating a sixth round of demonstrations on Saturday despite President Emmanuel Macron's U-turn.

"The Palace and the Estate will be closed on Saturday Dec. 22," Palace of Versailles tweeted Thursday.

"The closure is planned in a preventive way and on recommendation of the prefecture," it was quoted as saying by local media.

Authorities were scheduled to unveil the security measures to handle the action the "Yellow Vests" planned in Versailles, according to local reports.

Eric Douet, one of the movement's representatives, called on facebook to stage "Act VI: in Versailles". About 1,300 people said to take part and 7,800 others said were interested.

"Yellow Vests" movement began on Nov. 17 to denounce the squeeze on household spending triggered by the president's plan to hike fuel tax to encourage motorists to switch to cleaner vehicles.

With no leader, it has since turned into a bigger uprising which has lured people of all ages and backgrounds, with many criticizing Macron for pursuing policies they say favor the rich and do nothing to help the poor.