France Erupts Over EU-Mercosur Deal: Farmers Protest, Opposition Moves Against Government

France in Turmoil Over EU-Mercosur Deal

Tensions have flared across France after the European Union granted provisional approval to the long-debated Mercosur trade deal, linking the EU with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The agreement—more than 25 years in the making—aims to remove €4 billion in tariffs and create one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

However, the deal has triggered fierce backlash in France, where farmers, opposition politicians, and environmentalists see it as a threat to domestic agriculture and food standards.

Political Fallout: No-Confidence Motions Filed

The domestic fallout was swift. The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) and far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) parties filed no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government on Friday 9th January.

Although the motions are unlikely to succeed, they signal deepening divisions within French politics and mounting frustration with President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.

Jordan Bardella, RN president, condemned the trade agreement as “a betrayal of French farmers.”
Marine Le Pen accused Macron of “posturing” and urged France to consider withholding EU budget contributions in protest.
Mathilde Panot, leader of LFI, declared France had been “humiliated” by Brussels, calling for Lecornu and Macron to “go.”

Lecornu defended the government’s position, insisting that unity—not division—is essential to defend French agriculture. He also urged lawmakers to focus their opposition efforts at the European Parliament, where the agreement still requires ratification before taking effect.

French Farmers Lead Nationwide Protests

Across the country, anger among farmers continues to grow. On Friday morning, protesters from the Confédération Paysanne took to the Paris ring road, driving tractors and blocking traffic before dawn. Chants of “No to Mercosur!” echoed through the capital.

The Rural Coordination union staged similar protests the previous day, bringing convoys to iconic landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.

Farmers fear the free trade deal will flood the EU market with cheap South American beef, soy, and sugar, produced under lower environmental and welfare standards, undermining French and European producers who face stricter rules.

What the Mercosur Deal Means for Europe

The EU-Mercosur agreement would:

Eliminate most tariffs between the EU and the bloc’s four South American members.
Expand market access for European exports, particularly industrial goods and vehicles.
Increase agricultural imports from South America to the EU—especially beef and poultry.
Contain environmental clauses that critics say are too weak to prevent deforestation or CO₂ emissions.

Italy’s last-minute decision to support the deal proved decisive, allowing it to pass with a qualified majority—at least 15 EU states representing 65% of the bloc’s population. France, Ireland, Austria, Poland, and Hungary voted against it, while Belgium abstained.

A Political Storm Brewing

The controversy comes at a fragile moment for the French government. Lecornu’s team is already under pressure over a delayed 2026 budget and discontent among rural voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With farmers on the streets, the opposition mobilising, and even coalition allies expressing unease, the Mercosur issue has become a symbol of France’s struggle to reconcile EU policies with national interests.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has pledged to fight the deal in the European Parliament, where observers predict a closely contested vote. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could sign the agreement in Paraguay within days—intensifying pressure on Macron to act.

Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads

The EU-Mercosur trade deal has exposed deep fractures within European unity and touched a nerve in France, where the spectre of global trade liberalisation collides with national identity, food sovereignty, and rural survival.

Whether Macron’s government can weather this storm may depend on how effectively it balances European commitments with the protection of French farms—and how far it can convince voters that both can coexist.