Euro 2016 kicks off with a stink
Uncollected trash in Paris greets thousands of arriving fans with unsightly mess in streets
- President Hollande ensures that everything will run smoothly despite terror threat and strikes
- 10 cities across France prepare for 2 million spectators for the month long tournament
Euro 2016 kicks off this evening with the first game between hosts France and Romania due to provide the sparks to begin the show in earnest.
But as thousands of football fanatics descend upon France they could be greeted by the sign of rubbish lining the streets following a rubbish collector strike.
In Paris, the garbage collectors’ strike is affecting half the city’s 20 districts. Another host city, Saint-Etienne, has also been hit by the garbage strike.
After 5 days of strikes in the capital, the trash has gathered in huge piles on the streets of various popular areas, including around the Eiffel Tower and in Saint Germain des Pres. The strike could not have come at a worse time as the city faces one of its worst periods oif rainfall in recent history, leaving many areas of Paris hot, wet and dirty. The Seine has finally started to recede from its highest levels in 34 years, leaving the river that flows across Paris laced with floating debris.
French President François Hollande has said the government will do whatever is necessary to guarantee the event runs smooothly. Transport minister Alain Vidalies also said that the armed forces will bve deployed if required.
“If tomorrow we need to use requisitions, we’ll do it,” he said, speaking to Europe 1 Radio on Friday.
“If tomorrow we need to use requisitions, we’ll do it,”
Security has vastly increased in the 10 host cities, including 90,000 personnel and 13,000 private contractors. Many of those in the armed forces who have been involved in protecting the city since last year's terrorist attacks will be available to protect areas of the tournament, particularly those areas of public transport networks.
The tournament is taking place during a tense political period in France with strikers protesting a law that allows companies to negotiate work contracts outside of national labor accords.
Various industries have been ground to a halt, including those working as weather forecasters. So if you want to know whether to dress for rain or shine, looking to the skies may be your best bet.