The Gueux: The Activity Pushing for the Termination of the ZFE
A Rebellious Call to Scrap LEZs: The #Gueux Collective Takes on Air Pollution Measures
On May 17, the controversial #Gueux collective will take to the streets in Paris and Lyon, protesting against low-emission zones (LEZs) introduced in 2019 to combat air pollution. The self-proclaimed "non-partisan and republican wave" sees LEZs as a form of "social segregation" that unfairly targets lower-income drivers unable to afford cleaner vehicles.
The man behind this fiery movement, Alexandre Jardin, was once aligned with Emmanuel Macron's En Marche. After a failed presidential bid in 2017, he launched Blue White Zebra to address social and environmental fractures. His recent collective, the #Gueux, found inspiration in the "yellow vests" movement, aiming to rally support for scrapping LEZs.
The collective's website argues that ecology has become an exclusive luxury, comparing the cost of environmental protection measures to a social catastrophe that could trigger violent uprisings, surpassing even the 'yellow vests' movement's violence.
The #Gueux's first demonstration took place on April 6 in front of the Paris City Hall, demanding the abolition of LEZs. Their slogan, "If we start sorting cars, it's like sorting humans, that's not France," echoed the sentiment of their broader anti-LEZ campaign.
Recent elections have seen a handful of elected officials lend their support to the #Gueux, including Mayor Laurent Jaoul of Saint-Brès and Bastien Joint, a LR municipal councilor in Caluire-et-Cuire. They also claim affiliations with organizations such as the League of Motorists, the Interunion of French Fairground Companies, and the Federation of Parisian Traders and Artisans Associations.
This potential explosion of discontent is not lost on the government. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for the Ecological Transition, has expressed frustration over the issue being exploited by populists, promising to defend a right to circulate. In contrast, Public Health France estimates that air pollution is responsible for around 40,000 deaths per year in the country.
While the future of LEZs remains uncertain following a parliamentary committee vote against them, it's worth noting that ZFEs have been growing stricter, with approximately 8 million vehicles affected since January 1, 2025[1][3]. Exemptions already exist in many cities, with the government promising flexibility[4].
Despite having no explicit information on recent protests by the #Gueux collective, it's evident that environmental concerns and air quality are at the forefront of France's agenda, with the country actively pursuing a 5% annual emissions reduction to meet EU climate targets[5]. Moreover, France has taken steps to boost carbon credit initiatives in pursuit of a net-zero emissions goal[5].
- The #Gueux collective, protesting against low-emission zones (LEZs), see these measures as a form of social segregation that unfairly targets lower-income drivers, raising questions about the affordability of cleaner vehicles within the broader context of environmental science.
- The collective argues that the cost of environmental protection measures, such as LEZs, could lead to a social catastrophe, potentially triggering violent uprisings, a viewpoint that aligns with the ongoing discussions in public-transit and transportation policy-and-legislation.
- The financial implications of environmental science are not just a concern for the #Gueux, as recent elections have seen a handful of elected officials voice their support, including those from the industry, such as the League of Motorists and the Interunion of French Fairground Companies.
- The politics surrounding air pollution measures, like LEZs, have been the focus of recent news, with government officials expressing concerns about the exploitation of these issues by populists, while also acknowledging the health impacts attributed to air pollution by Public Health France.
- Despite the #Gueux's push for the scrapping of LEZs, France continues to prioritize climate-change action, actively pursuing a 5% annual emissions reduction to meet EU climate targets and boosting carbon credit initiatives in pursuit of a net-zero emissions goal, demonstrating a commitment to the environment and science.
