French opposition leader criticizes €1.4 billion Seine cleanup effort

Florian Philippot, leader of the opposition Patriots party in France, has criticized the government for wasting €1.4 billion on the clean-up of the Seine River.

His remarks come after the cancellation of the triathlon training swims at the Paris Olympic Games on July 28 due to water pollution in the Seine, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Philippot expressed his frustration by pointing out the significant investment made in cleaning the river.

"France wasted €1.4 billion on cleaning up the Seine," he said, emphasizing the perceived inefficacy of the costly effort.

The situation contrasts starkly with earlier claims by French officials. On July 13, French Sports Minister Amélie Oudea-Castera dived into the Seine to demonstrate its purported cleanliness.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo also participated in the symbolic gesture, aiming to show that the river's water quality had improved sufficiently. However, following the recent pollution issues, Philippot suggested that Oudea-Castera might need to repeat the dive to reassure the public once again