Farmers’ Fury in Paris: Tractors Converge on Capital, Macron Responds to Mercosur Deal
Paris, January 9, 2026 – In a dramatic display of agricultural discontent, hundreds of farmers from the Coordination Rurale union drove their tractors into the heart of Paris yesterday, January 8, defying bans and bringing their grievances directly to the capital’s iconic landmarks. The protest, which saw tractors reach the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the National Assembly, forced a swift response from the government, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing France’s intention to vote against the controversial Mercosur trade agreement.
Defiance and Determination: Farmers Breach Paris Defenses
The day began before dawn, as convoys of tractors, some having played a ‘cat and mouse’ game with law enforcement for days, breached police cordons to enter Paris. While the Ministry of Interior reported around a hundred tractors entering the city, with most blocked at its gates, Coordination Rurale claimed up to 500 vehicles were involved. Farmers described using navigation apps like Waze to circumvent police roadblocks, highlighting their determination to make their presence felt.
Bertrand Venteau, president of Coordination Rurale, emphasized the farmers’ deep-seated anger. “We have been storing up with colleagues little by little. We hid and then we launched the assault, we left yesterday at 11 PM. We raced with the gendarmes, we had a good laugh, but we didn’t come to break things! We came to express ourselves,” a demonstrator recounted on site. The protest saw some farmers engaging in direct confrontations, with the president of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, being heckled and hit by a projectile during an attempt to meet with the protesters.
Macron’s Stance on Mercosur: A Political Rejection
In response to the escalating protests, President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would vote “against the signing of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries.” He cited a “unanimous political rejection” of the deal, describing it as an “agreement from another age, negotiated for too long on too old bases.” Macron’s announcement came ahead of a crucial vote on the agreement in Brussels, scheduled for today, January 9.
Despite acknowledging “undeniable progress” made with the European Commission on the deal, Macron stated that the political consensus in France was firmly against it. He stressed that France would continue to fight for the full implementation of commitments obtained from the European Commission and to protect French farmers, even if it meant being in the minority during the vote.
Demands and Negotiations: A Long Road Ahead
The farmers’ demands extend beyond the Mercosur deal. Coordination Rurale called for a “moratorium” on controls until the presidential elections, the abolition of environmental agencies, and an end to the total culling of cattle infected with lumpy skin disease. Bertrand Venteau stated that these conditions were “in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture.”
The FNSEA, another major agricultural union, called for a “special law” to be introduced in Parliament by March-April to provide “concrete answers” to farmers’ concerns. Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA, stressed that “farmers no longer believe in public discourse; they want to see tangible and concrete results.” He also announced a major rally on January 20 in Strasbourg if the Mercosur treaty were to be signed.
Throughout the day, several farmers were detained. Approximately 25 farmers were taken into police custody, and at least 10 tractors were impounded. The government, through spokesperson Maud Bregeon, warned that it “will not let illegal actions happen.”
Coordination Rurale Calls for Reprieve, but the Fight Continues
By Thursday evening, Coordination Rurale called on its members to rest, demanding the release of detained farmers and impounded tractors. “The fight will be hard and long,” said Bertrand Venteau, indicating that his troops were ready to return if their demands were not met. He urged the Ministry of Interior to “remove fines, lift detentions, and free” the tractors so that farmers could return home.
The protests in Paris were part of a broader movement across France, with road blockades reported in Burgundy and the Southwest, including a fuel depot blockade near Bordeaux. The agricultural community remains on edge, fearing the imminent signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement despite Macron’s opposition.
The situation highlights the deep-seated frustrations within the French agricultural sector, fueled by concerns over international trade agreements, environmental regulations, and the economic viability of farming. The coming days and weeks are expected to bring further developments as farmers await concrete responses to their demands.
