The French government is hoping the sharp drop in "yellow vest" demonstrators signalls an end to the biggest crisis of Emmanuel Macron's presidency, but concedes "mistakes" have been made, reports FRANCE 24.
Around 66,000 people turned out again on Saturday across France for a fifth round of protests which sprung up over fuel tax hikes last month before snowballing into broader opposition to Macron -- half the number of the previous weekend.
In an interview with Les Echos newspaper published online Sunday evening, prime minister Édouard Philippe said the government had "made mistakes" and "not listened enough to the French people".
He added that there would be a debate on the holding of referendums to help decide government policy -- one of the protesters' key demands -- saying they could be a "good tool of democracy".
"One stage is behind us, certainly," added education minister Michel Blanquer. "And I think that that is in everybody's interest, including the yellow vests."
Although the drop in protesters suggested the momentum of the "yellow vest" movement was waning, sociologist Hervé Le Bras from the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) warned they would leave a bitter legacy.
"It is calming down but what remains of it all is a strong feeling of hatred towards Macron," he said.
Many of the protesters have targeted Macron personally, calling on him to resign or attacking his background as an investment banker.