The National Assembly showed its support for the government on Tuesday by rejecting the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, as currently envisaged.
By 484 votes to 70, MEPs approved a non-binding motion, thus strengthening the “legitimacy” of the executive to defend a firm “no” to the Commission and the European Council, according to Foreign Trade Minister Sophie Primas. The Senate must vote on this subject on Wednesday.
The government open to amendments
The Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, stressed that the agreement “under current conditions” did not guarantee “fair conditions of competition for our farmers”. However, the government remains open to amendments, because “we must not oppose in anticipation and in principle any free trade agreement,” she added.
This position was supported by the “common base” deputies, but strongly criticized by environmentalists and rebels, who reject any EU-Mercosur agreement. “There is no good EU-Mercosur agreement possible,” declared Arnaud Le Gall (LFI), while Marie Pochon (EELV) insisted: “Neither today nor tomorrow.”
Poland also rejects the agreement
France is no longer isolated in its opposition. The Polish government also formalized its rejection of the deal “in this form” on Tuesday, citing concerns over food security and the impact on Polish farmers.
“Diplomatic actions are underway to form a minority that will prevent the entry into force of the agreement,” said Polish Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.