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EU Farmers Stage Coordinated Tractor Blockades as Mercosur Vote Looms

A Friday EU Council vote could give the Commission authority to sign the pact despite mounting farm unrest.

Overview

  • Dozens of tractors reached central Paris near the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe despite a ban, with most convoys halted on the city’s outskirts as authorities labeled blockades illegal and reported detentions.
  • Farmers in Catalonia blocked the AP-7, N-II and A-2 and shut access to the Port of Tarragona, with Revolta Pagesa and Unaspi vowing to hold actions indefinitely to try to stop the agreement.
  • Greek farm groups launched a 48‑hour shutdown of major motorways, including sections of the AthensThessaloniki route, as the government offered cheaper electricity tariffs and fuel‑tax refunds to ease tensions.
  • Ireland said it will vote against the deal and Hungary has warned of harm to farmers, while Italy signaled openness after new safeguards and Spain’s agriculture minister argued the pact is an opportunity with protections for sensitive products.
  • EU diplomats are expected to meet Friday, with reports indicating a qualified‑majority decision could authorize Ursula von der Leyen to sign as early as Monday even if some member states object.