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Protest in Madrid as conservatives suspend ban on most polluting cars

Protest in Madrid as conservatives suspend ban on most polluting cars

By CJ Juntereal

By Reuters Thousands protested in Madrid on Saturday against the suspension of curbs on polluting cars by the new conservative city hall, raising fears that environmental rollbacks seen in the United States may be spreading to Europe.

Demonstrators take part in a protest against Madrid's new conservative People's Party (PP) municipal government plans to suspend some anti-car emissions policies in the city center, Madrid, Spain, June 29, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Medina/ MANILA BULLETIN

Demonstrators take part in a protest against Madrid's new conservative People's Party (PP) municipal government plans to suspend some anti-car emissions policies in the city center, Madrid, Spain, June 29, 2019. REUTERS/Juan Medina/ MANILA BULLETIN The first reversal of environmental policies by a major European city comes despite soaring global environmental concerns and is a fresh sign of growing divisions in Spain after a series of inconclusive elections in April and May. Last November Madrid’s then far-left government banned most petrol and diesel cars from its center to tackle high levels of nitrogen dioxide. The policy was known as “Madrid central” and it was intended to bring Madrid into line with EU clean air rules which it had been violating since 2010. “Yes we can, I do want Madrid central,” chanted the protesters. Some were holding banners that read “I want to breathe free” and “We aspire to have a Madrid without smoke”. “We have to save (the planet) starting at the local and small level, the first thing is Madrid’s center,” said Laura Martin, a 39-year-old actress.

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