European farmers protest EU-Mercosur deal, blocking roads and staging Paris demonstrations

Greek farmers began a 48-hour nationwide tractor blockade starting in November, obstructing major roads including the Athens–Thessaloniki highway and allowing only emergency vehicles to pass.

Protests cite rising production costs, subsidy fraud allegations, and a livestock disease outbreak as immediate triggers of escalating demonstrations across affected regions.

Farmers in France, Greece and elsewhere warn the EU-Mercosur free-trade deal could flood European markets with cheaper South American produce, undermining competitiveness and farm incomes.

French farmers drove about 100 tractors to Paris and demonstrated at the National Assembly under heavy police surveillance, highlighting widespread domestic opposition to the deal.

Governments offered concessions like cheaper electricity and fuel tax rebates; police rerouted traffic and avoided force, while long-term competitiveness concerns worry policymakers.