Paris (AFP)
The LR candidate for mayor of Paris Rachida Dati predicts "tensions" with residents and pedestrians, due to the extension of the terraces of bars and restaurants from Tuesday during the second stage of deconfinement.
"We are going to deconfine the terraces but there was no anticipation (...) It was not concerted with the cafetiers, and even less with the residents", pointed to Europe 1 the current mayor from the 7th arrondissement, criticizing outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo (PS).
The government has planned that only the terraces of restaurants and cafes can reopen in Ile-de-France from Tuesday. And Anne Hidalgo announced on Saturday the possibility for these establishments to occupy part of the public space with their terraces for free.
"Those who do not have a terrace will get on the sidewalks, even on the roadways, or the parking spaces" and "it will generate tensions between customers and residents, and also with pedestrians," said Ms. Dati.
"If I had been mayor of Paris, I would have anticipated this organization from the first day (of confinement)" for cafes and restaurants, by "compensating measures" and pushing for a rapid reopening, added the candidate LR.
She has in the way strangled Agnès Buzyn, ex-Minister of Health and candidate LREM for the second round of the municipal elections on June 28, which according to her "does not return for Paris" but "to be able to justify its bad management of the Covid".
"Voters want to turn the page on Anne Hidalgo," said Dati, who said "to Emmanuel Macron's voters: + vote for the future +".
"I had the responsibility of gathering, I reached out" to Mrs. Buzyn who "refused", according to the contender LR, who considers "the voters of Emmanuel Macron betrayed".
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