Overview
- The European Parliament voted 334–324, with 11 abstentions, to seek a Court of Justice opinion on the newly signed agreement.
- Referral freezes further ratification steps until the court rules, with such opinions typically taking 18–24 months.
- The European Commission criticized the move as unjustified and says the pact could be applied provisionally once a Mercosur country ratifies.
- France welcomed the referral as farmers rallied in Strasbourg, while German leaders urged provisional application on strategic grounds.
- A reported Commission draft listing 24 agro‑products for potential EU safeguards has alarmed Mercosur exporters, adding commercial uncertainty alongside the legal review.