Amid ongoing talks in Brussels over the EU-Mercosur trade deal, tensions have flared in France, especially with farmers protesting against the agreement’s potential harm to French agriculture.
In response, the French government has announced plans to hold a debate in the National Assembly on November 26. This move aims to show political unity and rally opposition to the deal.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier took to social media, stating, “I am aware of the anger, tensions and lack of understanding among farmers regarding the proposed EU-Mercosur agreement. France is firmly opposed to it.” To underscore this opposition, Barnier revealed plans to make a formal statement in the National Assembly, followed by a debate and a vote.
Controversy in France has reached a boiling point, especially after reports emerged linking imported Brazilian meat to high levels of hormones that are banned in Europe. A study by the European Commission, the same body pushing the trade deal forward, has further fueled these concerns.
The Élysée Palace hopes that a vote in France’s National Assembly against the treaty will send a strong message in support of the country’s position. With the vote scheduled before the Mercosur summit in Uruguay in early December, it will also provide a timely political boost for President Macron, who is currently attending the G20 summit in Brazil.
Politically, this move is crucial for the government, which is under pressure after tumultuous budget debates. Antoine Vermorel-Marques, a member of the Les Républicains party, told Europe 1, “It strengthens France’s position. Everyone keeps saying that the National Assembly is a mess and that there is no majority. Now we have a situation that brings everyone together, we can also reach a consensus in the National Assembly, but also in support of the government, which is proposing this debate with a vote next week.”
However, a strong vote in the French parliament may not be enough to stop the deal. On November 12, nearly 600 French MPs urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to end the negotiations, but they have yet to receive a response. Furthermore, France cannot veto the agreement in the EU Council since the treaty will be split into two parts. While the political section requires unanimous approval, the trade section can pass with a qualified majority. If France wants to block the deal, it would need to gather a “blocking minority” of at least four countries representing 35% of the EU population.
Currently, France’s opposition does not have enough support within the EU. Germany and Spain back the free trade deal, while Italy, like France, stands opposed. France is in talks with Italy and the Netherlands, but gaining more allies is proving difficult. Austria and Ireland, initially against the treaty, are reconsidering, and Poland remains uncertain. The future of the deal hangs in the balance.
