MORNING BID EUROPE-Macron aims to show French he can listen

* A look at the day ahead from European Economics and Politics Editor Mark John and EMEA markets editor Mike Dolan. The views expressed are their own.

LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Emmanuel Macron faces a crucial test of his presidency tonight as he announces measures aimed at quelling five months of often violent "yellow vest" protests against inequality in France. Media leaks have suggested the package could contain tax cuts and an eye-catching move to abolish the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, the elite college that trained him and many of the country's political and business leaders. In what will be his first news conference at the Elysee Palace since taken power in 2017, Macron is keen to shake off his reputation for not listening to people. Macron is seen wanting to relaunch a reform drive that has been derailed by the protests - original plans for this year included an overhaul of pensions and unemployment insurance.

Senior lawmakers in the UK's ruling Conservative Party decided against changing party rules so they could oust Theresa May in coming weeks, instead calling on the premier to give them more clarity about her future. Party bosses fear her failure to deliver Brexit will lead to a rout in next month's local and European Parliament elections and want her to promise to step down quickly. Meanwhile, Scottish nationalists argue that the chaos over Brexit justifies the re-opening of the independence question: after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday that the Scottish parliament would make its preparations to offer a referendum bill in the next couple of years, pro-independence activists begin a doorstep campaign today to try and boost support for secession to the 50 to 60 percent range.

MARKETS AT 0655 GMT Mounting dollar strength amid fresh signs of economic weakness outside the United States and a barrage of corporate earnings are dominating world markets first thing Thursday. With Wall Street stocks setting records this week, the dollar’s rise on Wednesday to near two-year highs against the euro and on its DXY index against other major currencies reflects some dialling back of the more extreme Fed easing expectations while the rest of the world’s central banks stay loose. The Bank of Japan was the latest to signal it will retain its super-easy monetary stance through 2020 – a departure for it in giving a timeline on forward guidance. News of a contraction in South Korea’s economy in the first quarter showed just how fragile the world economy outside the United States remains – something underlined on Wednesday by Germany’s disappointing IFO business sentiment survey for April. Hopes of a second-quarter rebound in the euro zone economy have been dashed so far by April business surveys across the European Union, taking euro/dollar to its lowest since June 2017. The euro tried to find a foothold above $1.1150 first thing, with the yen slightly higher, too. But dollar strength persisted, with MSCI’s emerging-markets index falling for the fifth straight day to its lowest in a month. Sterling also remained weaker after sliding yesterday to its lowest since mid-February, amid the ongoing hiatus in the Brexit process and the related uncertainty.

While Wall Street stocks ticked back from record highs overnight, the first-quarter earnings season has been impressive so far. Despite expected troubles at the likes of Boeing, Microsoft stock jumped more than 4 percent after its post-bell results and Facebook shares jumped more than 10 percent after its earnings smashed estimates. The South Korean gross domestic product news left the mood in Asia more downbeat. Shanghai was down more than 2 percent, with Seoul’s Kospi and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng down about 0.5 percent each. European stocks were expected to open higher, with UBS matching Credit Suisse with forecast-beating earnings. Barclays profits dropped, but in line with expectations. Nokia, however, was expected to drop 10 percent after its miss. Chip companies Dialog Semi and ASM beat the street.

In emerging markets, Turkey was in focus ahead of a central bank policy decision at midday. The lira weakened 0.3 percent in its sixth straight day of losses, edging close to Wednesday's 6 1/2-year low. Markets want to see just how ready the central bank stands to tackle currency weakness and restore its credibility as Ankara faces once again its toxic mix of economic and geopolitical malaises. Polls show the policy makers are expected to keep rates at 24 percent. The lira is on track for a monthly drop of more than 5 percent – its worst monthly performance since the August selloff. * Europe corp events: Barclays, UBS, Bayer, Iberdola, Nokia., Peugeot, SEB, Swedbank, Taylor Wimpey, Telia, Wirecard, Wacker Chemie, Rovio, Essity, Casino sales

* Spain March jobless

* Riksbank policy decision

* Turkey central bank policy decision

* French President Macron announces response to ‘yellow vest’ protests

* Ukraine central bank policy decision

* Sweden April business confidence

* US Q1 earnings: American Airlines, Bristol-Myers, Amazon, Ford,

* US durable goods orders March

* Brazil current account March

* European Central Bank VP de Guindos speaks in NY (Editing by Larry King)