Paris Endures Floods, Labor Strikes And Political Fallout From Migrant Camp

Labor union members and other people attend a demonstration against the French government and labor law reforms in Paris, Thursday, June 2, 2016. Workers are on strike at nearly all of France’s nuclear plants and on the national rail service as part of months of protests over changes to labor protections. The signs read ‘Railway workers from St Lazare station on strike!’.
Labor union members and other people attend a demonstration against the French government and labor law reforms in Paris, Thursday, June 2, 2016. Workers are on strike at nearly all of France's nuclear plants and on the national rail service as part of months of protests over changes to labor protections. The signs read 'Railway workers from St Lazare station on strike!'. Markus Schreiber / AP Photo
Labor union members and other people attend a demonstration against the French government and labor law reforms in Paris, Thursday, June 2, 2016. Workers are on strike at nearly all of France’s nuclear plants and on the national rail service as part of months of protests over changes to labor protections. The signs read ‘Railway workers from St Lazare station on strike!’.
Labor union members and other people attend a demonstration against the French government and labor law reforms in Paris, Thursday, June 2, 2016. Workers are on strike at nearly all of France's nuclear plants and on the national rail service as part of months of protests over changes to labor protections. The signs read 'Railway workers from St Lazare station on strike!'. Markus Schreiber / AP Photo

Paris Endures Floods, Labor Strikes And Political Fallout From Migrant Camp

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National labor strikes and flooding have slowed Paris to a snail’s pace and as the waters of the Seine recede, more rain is expected. 

The disruptions have many concerned about the city’s security. Last month, along Ukraine’s border with Poland, 25 year old Gregoire Moutaux was apprehended with a large cache of arms. Known to have ultra-nationalist views, it’s believed he had planned mass attacks on infrastructure, mosques and synagogues during the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, to be held in Paris. 

France’s ultra-nationalist politicians are attacking Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, for her recent decision to open a migrant camp in the city. 

We talk through these current problems with Raphael Satter, Paris correspondent for the Associated Press. We also chat with WBEZ political reporter, Lauren Chooljian, who has just returned from Paris and will tell us how the floods and labor strife hampered her vacation.