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Uber row in France: President Hollande condemns low-cost firm after violent taxi driver protests in Paris Uber row in France: President Hollande condemns low-cost firm after violent taxi driver protests in Paris
(2 days later)
French president Francois Hollande has waded into the row over controversial taxi service after violent protests break out across the country.French president Francois Hollande has waded into the row over controversial taxi service after violent protests break out across the country.
Speaking at the EU summit in Brussels on Friday, he called for Uber's “dissolution” and the seizure of its "illegal"cars.Speaking at the EU summit in Brussels on Friday, he called for Uber's “dissolution” and the seizure of its "illegal"cars.
He said the company was an example of "unfair competition" and said: "“Non-compliance with tax and competition rules is illegal. UberPop should be dissolved and branded illegal and cars should be seized", according to the FT.He said the company was an example of "unfair competition" and said: "“Non-compliance with tax and competition rules is illegal. UberPop should be dissolved and branded illegal and cars should be seized", according to the FT.
There were reports by the BBC of cars overturned with windows smashed in by baseball bats.There were reports by the BBC of cars overturned with windows smashed in by baseball bats.
Hollande also condemned the rioting taxi drivers saying their actions were a stain on France and "inexcusable".Hollande also condemned the rioting taxi drivers saying their actions were a stain on France and "inexcusable".
The country's interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced a ban on the company’s online server, UberPOP, which connects drivers with customers and called on prosecutors and police to do more to crack down on the service.The country's interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced a ban on the company’s online server, UberPOP, which connects drivers with customers and called on prosecutors and police to do more to crack down on the service.
The service was officially banned back in January but has proved difficult to enforce and the law has been frequently flouted according to the AFP news agency.The service was officially banned back in January but has proved difficult to enforce and the law has been frequently flouted according to the AFP news agency.
Taxi drivers on strike burn tyres during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille
French CRS riot police face demonstrators as striking taxi drivers block the Boulevard Peripherique near Porte Maillot in Paris
A leaflet which reads "Uber stop, outlaw" is seen on a taxi as striking French taxi drivers block the traffic during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille
French CRS riot police arrive to intervene as demonstrators block Porte Maillot in Paris, as hundreds of taxi drivers converged on airports and other areas around the capital to demonstrate against UberPOP, a popular taxi app that is facing fierce opposition from traditional cabs. Access to three terminals at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and in a number of areas of Paris, especially Porte Maillot, were blocked
Taxi drivers on strike burn tyres during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille, France. French taxi drivers stepped up protests against U.S. online cab service UberPOP, blocking road access to airports and train stations in Paris and other cities
Policemen stand on a road as taxi drivers on strike block the traffic during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille
Taxi drivers on strike block the traffic during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille
The minister denounced Uber for failing to respect French law and said the service was “illegal”.The minister denounced Uber for failing to respect French law and said the service was “illegal”.
He said: “The government will never accept the law of the jungle. It must, therefore, be closed.”He said: “The government will never accept the law of the jungle. It must, therefore, be closed.”
He has called a meeting with anti-fraud officials for Monday to enforce the ban.He has called a meeting with anti-fraud officials for Monday to enforce the ban.
Singer Courtney Love was caught up in the chaos and tweeted:Singer Courtney Love was caught up in the chaos and tweeted:
they've ambushed our car and are holding our driver hostage. they're beating the cars with metal bats. this is France?? I'm safer in Baghdad
paid some guys on motorcycles to sneak us out, got chased by a mob of taxi drivers who threw rocks, passed two police and they did nothing
Taxi drivers, who pay €240,000 (£170,000) for a Paris private hire licence, have lost between 30 and 40 per cent of their income over the past two years, Abdelkader Morghad, a representative of the FTI taxi union, told Bloomberg.Taxi drivers, who pay €240,000 (£170,000) for a Paris private hire licence, have lost between 30 and 40 per cent of their income over the past two years, Abdelkader Morghad, a representative of the FTI taxi union, told Bloomberg.
He said: “Many taxis drivers are infuriated. We’re demanding that the Thevenoud law, which clearly forbids unlicensed drivers, be implemented. There’s a lack of political will to do it.”He said: “Many taxis drivers are infuriated. We’re demanding that the Thevenoud law, which clearly forbids unlicensed drivers, be implemented. There’s a lack of political will to do it.”
But a spokesman for Uber, Thomas Meister, said: “"There are people who are willing to do anything to stop any competition. We are only the symptom of a badly organised market.”But a spokesman for Uber, Thomas Meister, said: “"There are people who are willing to do anything to stop any competition. We are only the symptom of a badly organised market.”
Additional reporting by the Associated PressAdditional reporting by the Associated Press