Rome mayor takes down 'eyesore' tree

ROME, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The mayor of Rome said he has given the order to remove a giant papier-mache Christmas tree dubbed "a true eyesore" from the city's center.

Mayor Gianni Alemanno said he decided to do away with the tree, which was erected Tuesday and immediately criticized by the main opposition party as "a true eyesore," ANSA reported Wednesday.

"I decided to replace it with a normal, classic tree because I like traditional things," Alemanno said.

The mandate to take down the tree has received bipartisan support.