Tractors in Paris: French Farmers Push Macron. French farmers join a Europe-wide movement opposing environmental regulations, cheap imports, and advocating for higher incomes.
On Friday, farmers drove tractors into central Paris to increase pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, who initially pledged a meeting to address their concerns but later canceled it. Alongside a Europe-wide movement, French farmers are protesting environmental regulations, cheap imports, and low incomes. They expect a government response before the Salon de l’Agriculture, a popular national agricultural fair, begins in Paris on Saturday.
Adding Pressure Ahead of the Fair:
Damien Greffin, a cereal farmer and Paris region chief of the main farmers’ union FNSEA, remarked:
“The idea was to add a little bit of pressure before the fair opens.”
Last month, farmers nationwide staged protests, prompting the government to promise reforms. However, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s new measures announced on Wednesday failed to appease protesters, shifting attention to Macron, who is set to attend the annual agriculture fair on Saturday.
Debate Plans Encounter Hurdles:
On Thursday, Macron announced plans to hold a debate at the fair involving “all actors in the agriculture world” to shape the sector’s future. However, the initiative faced challenges when Macron included the radical ecology group Soulevements de la Terre (“Uprisings of the Earth”), which the interior minister recently sought to ban, labeling them “eco–terrorists.”
Controversy Surrounding Guest List:
Following protests from farming unions, opposition politicians, and even within the government, the Soulevements group was disinvited, with Macron’s office admitting “an error” had occurred. However, the fallout persisted, with FNSEA boss Arnaud Rousseau condemning Macron’s initiative as “cynical,” refusing to participate in a dialogue he deemed unfit for constructive discussion.
Event Cancellation Amidst Boycott:
In response to the boycott, Macron ultimately cancelled the event, his office announced Friday, opting instead to meet with farmers’ unions prior to the fair’s opening on Saturday. Despite Prime Minister Attal’s pledge on Wednesday to prioritize agriculture as a national interest, outlining an agriculture bill to address farmers’ concerns, protests have persisted.
Challenges in Managing Protests:
Authorities are struggling to contain the farmers’ movement in various parts of the country, according to a police source. Approximately 30 tractors entered central Paris on Friday morning, heading towards Les Invalides, near the French parliament, departing in the afternoon as per authorities’ instructions. Subsequently, a second convoy arrived in Paris, establishing a camp near the southwest site of the agriculture fair.
Anticipating a Politically Charged Fair:
The FNSEA acknowledged the political significance of this year’s fair, traditionally a crucial event for farmers, the public, and politicians. While anticipating a politically charged atmosphere, they expressed hope for a celebration amidst the proceedings.
