French Rural Mayors Protest EU-Mercosur Deal as National Assembly Rejects Censure Motions

In response to the impending signing of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on January 17, many rural mayors across France have protested by removing the European flag from their town halls, signaling solidarity with farmers opposing the deal. This symbolic gesture, which began after the EU approved the agreement despite opposition from France and others, notably saw the mayor of Les Grandes-Ventes replacing the European flag with that of the Young Farmers' Union, declaring, "This agreement will kill our farmers, our farms, and our villages. I refuse to be complicit." Nearly 70 municipalities in Loir-et-Cher also took part in this protest, alongside tractor demonstrations in Paris. The Movement, supported by the Coordination Rurale union, underscores the agricultural sector's intense unease with the deal and concerns about local economic impact.

Concurrently on January 14, the French National Assembly rejected two motions of censure against the government, filed by La France insoumise (LFI) and Rassemblement national (RN), which sought to protest the trade agreement and accuse the government of capitulation. The LFI motion received 256 votes, short of the 288 needed, while the RN motion gained 142 votes. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu criticized the opposition for undermining the government amidst international difficulties. Notably, mainstream parties like the Socialist Party and The Republicans did not support the motions, citing the government's opposition stance on the agreement. The government had warned it would dissolve the Assembly if a censure succeeded and is preparing for potential early elections.

These developments reflect deep divisions within France regarding the Mercosur trade deal, with rural and political opposition manifesting through both local symbolic actions and parliamentary measures, although the latter have failed to pass. The discourse remains charged as France prepares for the agreement's EU-level signing later this week.