How Macron Can Revive His French Revolution

France's Yellow Vest protest movement seems to be losing steam. Turnout is diminishing, public support is weakening, and anger has flared over anti-Semitism in its ranks. If the marchers are mostly staying home, though, the problems they identified haven't gone away. In fact, they could define President Emmanuel Macron's remaining time in office.

The protesters first took to the streets in November to oppose a proposed fuel tax. As the movement spread, it seemed to give voice to a more general frustration with France's stagnation and inequalities. While the number of demonstrators was never huge — less than 300,000 at their peak — they received widespread public backing, a signal that the discontent that once fueled Macron's rise was only growing.