By Samindra Kunti in Lens
June 24 – The French rail union SNCF has announced the end to strike action that has left the country struggling to function but which, in reality, has had only limited impact on fans attending the Euro 2016 tournament.
Euro 2016 opened with the backdrop of concerns over terrorism threats and the chaos that would be caused by strikes. While the terrorism threat remains, the impact of the nationwide French strikes has not caused the disruption feared.
The French are protesting against Francois Hollande’s anti-social new labour law, the Loi Travail, which will implement sweeping labor reforms. The government invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to bypass parliament and push through with the law.
Despite a number of protests in Paris and around the country, the tournament has passed without gridlock. French national rail service SNCF ensured fans could get to venues on time and return after the match, often with special services around the matches. Strikes mainly impacted transport in and around Paris, where fans, media and official have struggled to get around.
Hundreds of thousands of fans have flocked to France, where hotel rates and flight fares have been sky-high during the tournament.
They have given the local towns and cities a boost, but in spite of fans spending their money, French business activity overall is reported to have shrunk this month – perhaps as focus on the tournament and the French team has built. For the first time in months French production output figures have fallen and the local services sector has stagnated. New production orders have also stalled.
The tournament will culminate with the final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on July 10. After the group stages, Spain, Germany and France remain favorites to win, but Croatia have emerged as dark horses.
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