Yellow Vest protests: French Interior Minister rejects calls for resignation

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner rejected the opposition's calls for his resignation after the Yellow Vest protests turned violent in Paris last week.

"If you think it's a man's responsibility, I'm ready to listen perfectly. I'm totally responsible for my decisions," Castaner told local media on Tuesday (local time) while outrightly dismissing the calls for his resignation.

The French minister has been criticised by all parties in the opposition for being unable to protect public property or restore order after Saturday's violent protests, reports Xinhua.

Castaner outlined that he exchanged views with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the situation throughout the weekend.

The protests, which are currently in their 18th week, left around 60 people, including 17 policemen, wounded after violence flared up in the French capital last week.

Stores located along the Champs-Elysees avenue were looted and vandalised, as police resorted to firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters who also pelted stones at law enforcement guarding the Arc de Triomphe.

The protests, which started against the proposed hike in fuel rates in November last year, have continued despite Macron scrapping the proposal. The French President also introduced a series of initiatives as part of his 'economic and social emergency plan' which was unveiled in December 2018.

However, the protesters have continued their agitations regardless, demanding a 20 per cent hike in minimum wages, equal pay for men and women, tax reform, development of public services and just environmental reforms amongst other things.