An activist of the "ZAD" movement (Zone to Defend) sprays champagne while celebrating with others after French PM announced the government's official decision to abandon the airport project, in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
PARIS (AP) - France will abandon divisive plans to build a new airport in the west, the prime minister announced Wednesday, ordering activists protesting the project for nearly a decade to leave their makeshift settlement.
Security forces began deploying extra forces to the area near Nantes ahead of the announcement, among the most delicate since President Emmanuel Macron took office eight months ago.
"The Notre-Dame-des-Landes project will be abandoned," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said. "This is a logical decision, considering the dead-end where this project has found itself."
He noted that plans for the airport were first made 50 years ago and "the debate should have ended long ago."
Philippe said activists who have camped out for years to protest the airport in Notre-Dames-des-Landes must start clearing roads they have blocked or police would step in. He gave the squatters until spring to pull up their stakes.
The activists occupying the site quickly cried victory, raising their fists and popping open bottles of bubbly, while opponents railed. Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland said the national government "ceded to blackmail and threats."
Philippe said the decision was an "impossible dilemma" because of the passions for and against the airport, but that his decision aimed to calm the volatile situation. Earlier attempts to dislodged the squatters had ended in violent clashes with police.
Proponents argue the region needs a larger airport to boost its economic prospects. Opponents say the airport is unnecessary and a symbol of exploitative globalization.
Philippe Grosvalet, president of the Loire-Atlantique department, told BFM TV that the government had "ceded to disorder."
He also said the prime minister's decision "tramples democracy," a reference to a 2016 referendum in which the Notre-Dames-des-Landes airport received the majority of votes.
Farmers who clung to their land had joined forces with the anarchists against the airport. The prime minister said farmers whose land was expropriated can get their land back if they choose.
A sticker reading "No to the airport" is pasted on the window of a farm, in the "ZAD" (zone to defend), in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
An activist on a unicycle rides past an abandoned car that could be used as a barricade in the "ZAD" (zone to defend), in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
A tractor drives past a sign reading "No to the airport" in the "ZAD" (zone to defend) in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
A sign reading "No to the airport" is pictured in the "ZAD" (zone to defend) in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
Activists of the "ZAD" movement (Zone to Defend) celebrate after French PM announced the government's official decision to abandon the airport project, in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press
Activists of the "ZAD" movement (Zone to Defend) celebrate after French PM announced the government's official decision to abandon the airport project, in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, outside the city of Nantes, western France, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says that the government has decided against building an airport in western France that has mobilized nearly a decade of sometimes violent protests and he told protesters occupying the site that they must leave. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
The Associated Press