European Parliament Faces Farmer Protests and Political Tensions Over EU-Mercosur Agreement

On January 19, 2023, thousands of farmers from across Europe gathered in Strasbourg to protest the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, coinciding with a pivotal vote in the European Parliament that may delay the agreement's ratification by several months.

The demonstration took place amid a politically charged atmosphere, with an unusual coalition of extreme right and ecologist Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) rallying together against the deal. The parliament was considering a referral of the agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJUE) for legal scrutiny, which if approved, could postpone the ratification process significantly.

Ecologist MEP Thomas Waitz called for unity beyond political lines, emphasizing that the Mercosur agreement transcends ideology and is fundamentally about respecting farmers. He stated, "[The Mercosur] is not a question of left or right, it is a question of respect towards farmers," urging collective action to support agricultural stakeholders.

Saskia Bricmont, another ecologist MEP and co-author of the resolution opposing the agreement, received strong support from the protesting farmers but sought to distance her stance from that of the extreme right, whom she accused of betraying farmers. Nevertheless, extreme right politicians, including French figures Gilles Pennelle and Marion Maréchal, were vocal, with both backing a motion of censure against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the deal.

The protests underscored the complex political landscape surrounding the Mercosur deal—farmers vowed to remain in Strasbourg until the parliamentary vote, illustrating the deep resistance within the agricultural community. This event exemplifies the fierce opposition faced by the agreement due to concerns over its impact on European farmers and reflects broader political divisions across the European Parliament.

This development comes at a time when the French political system is grappling with multiple crises, including weakening parliamentary democracy and social democracy challenges, underscoring the volatility and complexity of policymaking in Europe today.