PARIS, (Reuters) – French riot police forcibly removed striking workers blocking a large fuel distribution depot yesterday as President Francois Hollande warned anti-reform protesters he would not let them strangle the economy.
The police operation to free up the barricaded depot near the Donges oil refinery in western France followed similar swoops at other depots this week to ease petrol shortages caused by picketers fighting planned labour law reforms.
Concerns have been mounting about potential disruption to the Euro 2016 football tournament, which begins on June 10, and on Friday unions said they would seek to disrupt transport on match days in the towns where matches are due to take place.
Elsewhere though, evidence indicated a slightly improved fuel supply situation compared with the previous day.
In the Seine Maritime region north of Paris, local government prefect Nicole Klein said the number of petrol stations without fuel had fallen significantly and lifted rationing orders.“Things are improving everywhere,” said a transport ministry spokesman who said all but one of France’s fuel supply depots were now free from pickets.
