The government in Paris, targeted by a new motion of censure. The extreme right denounces the “betrayal of French farmers”
Marine Le Pen and her protégé, Jordan Bardella, president of the RN. PHOTO: Thomas Padilla / AP / Profimedia
The head of the far-right French party Rassemblement National (RN), Jordan Bardella, announced on Thursday that his movement will submit a motion of censure against the French government and the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, notes AFP, taken by Agerpres.
Jordan Bardella wrote on X that French President Emmanuel Macron is trying “a belated and hypocritical PR stunt” by “now claiming to oppose the deal, after years of negotiations without ever defending French interests.”
Denouncing “a betrayal of French farmers”, Jordan Bardella stated that the RN would launch “two motions of no confidence: one in the (French) National Assembly against the government and one in the European Parliament against the von der Leyen Commission”.
The EU executive, supported by supporters of the EU-Mercosur agreement, such as Germany and Spain, is trying to obtain a qualified majority of 15 EU member states, representing 65% of the EU population, necessary for Brussels to sign the agreement with the Mercosur bloc, possibly as early as January 12.
A carefully staged political scene and a bet of 45 billion euros, for the crucial vote. But it is not yet known whether the plane to the Mercosur countries will take off
Supporters say the deal with the Mercosur bloc, which has been in the works for 25 years and would be the EU's biggest in terms of tariff cuts, is vital for boosting exports hit by US import duties and reducing dependence on China by securing access to critical minerals.
Given that Poland and Hungary oppose the agreement, and France criticizes it, Italy's position will be decisive in terms of signing the agreement. A vote is expected on Friday.
