Macron's reforms: What has driven the yellow vest protesters to take to the streets?

French President Emmanuel Macron is two years into his term of office, which he embarked on with the aim of making crucial reforms in the land of the Gallic rooster. It is well known that the third-largest European economy does indeed need structural reforms. After a rocket-fast start, however, President Macron encountered - quintessentially French - vocal opposition from the public. This article sums up Macron's reform steps and his response to the mass street protests, putting them into the context of the economic situation not only in France, but in advanced economies in general. Although it is too early to assess their impacts, the reforms seem to be heading in the right direction.