Football
Associated Press 8y

France wants to extend state of emergency during Euro 2016

PARIS -- France's government is calling for a two-month extension of the state of emergency that was declared after the deadly Nov. 13 attacks in Paris to cover the European Championship.

The move, announced by Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Wednesday, is also intended to cover the Tour de France.

Valls told France Info radio that the extension of the state of emergency until the end of July will ''allow a better response against the terrorist threat'' during the June 10-July 10 Euro 2016 tournament.

Following attacks in Brussels last month, concerns have been raised that the tournament could be targeted, especially the fan zones where spectators gather to watch games on large screens. Up to eight million fans are expected to visit the open-air areas, according to French authorities.

Tournament organisers have increased the budget for security by 15 percent.

"We must ensure full security" so that the Euro 2016 can "be at the same time a celebration with full stadiums and full fan zones," Valls said.

Valls said the state of emergency will also cover the July 2-July 24 Tour de France cycling race.

The state of emergency, which has already been extended twice, was scheduled to end on May 26. It expands police powers to carry out arrests and searches and allows authorities to impose restrictions on the movement of people or vehicles.

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