Jean-Luc Mélenchon has called for a National Assembly debate on the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, insisting it should not proceed without French voter approval. Political tensions arise as deputies plan to challenge the treaty, and former President Hollande suggests there’s still a chance to halt its commercial provisions. Meanwhile, French farmers express concerns about the treaty’s impact on agriculture, and negotiations are ongoing amid rising opposition within the EU, particularly during President Macron’s Latin America tour.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon Calls for National Assembly Debate on Mercosur Agreement
On Sunday, the leader of France Insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, urged a thorough discussion in the National Assembly regarding the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. He emphasized that the agreement should not take effect unless it receives approval from the French electorate.
During an interview with France3, Mélenchon directly addressed President Macron, stating, “Mr. Macron, cease your antics with Mercosur. We demand this treaty be debated in the National Assembly, and it should not be enacted if the French do not endorse it.”
Political Divisions Surrounding the Mercosur Debate
The Insoumis deputies had originally planned to review a resolution on November 28 that would call for the government to reject the treaty. However, this proposal was deemed inadmissible by the government on November 5, mirroring a similar rejection of a resolution from the RN group earlier in October.
Aurélie Trouvé, the chair of the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, announced on Franceinfo that her party would introduce a new resolution aimed at facilitating a parliamentary debate under Article 50-1 of the Constitution. “This will allow the National Assembly to vote against this agreement,” she stated, with plans to finalize the proposal on Monday, according to AFP.
Former President François Hollande weighed in, suggesting that while it might be too late to halt the agreement entirely, it is not too late to obstruct its commercial aspects. He noted that opposition from at least four EU member states, representing 35% of the EU population, could still make a difference in blocking certain elements of the treaty.
In a notable transnational effort, LFI MEP Manon Aubry wrote an open letter to Ursula Von Der Leyen, signed by over 130 parliamentarians from 13 countries, urging the President of the European Commission to reconsider the treaty’s conclusion. This unprecedented appeal highlights the broader implications of the agreement beyond French agriculture, as it raises concerns about the Commission’s potential strategy to divide the treaty into separate parts to avoid national parliamentary ratification.
As French farmers express apprehension about the potential negative impacts on their industry, they are preparing to mobilize against the treaty, which has been in negotiation for decades between the EU and Mercosur countries—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The European Commission has indicated that the treaty could be signed by the end of this year, supported by nations like Germany and Spain.
Additionally, the topic of the treaty is expected to be a focal point during President Macron’s ongoing tour of Latin America, which commenced on Saturday and will continue until Thursday. This trip may significantly impact the final negotiations as both domestic and EU-wide pressures mount against the treaty’s approval.