French Farmers Stage Raucous Protest at Paris Agricultural Fair Ahead of Macron Visit
In a dramatic turn of events, a group of French farmers seized control of a prominent Paris farm fair on Saturday, just before President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit. The farmers, expressing frustration over rising costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental regulations, clashed with police officers inside the trade fair.
Shouting slogans and voicing their displeasure, the protesters called for Macron’s resignation and directed expletives at the French leader. As lines of French CRS riot police attempted to contain the demonstration, there were reported clashes, resulting in at least one arrest witnessed by Reuters.
Pascal Beteille, one of the demonstrators, conveyed his disillusionment, stating, “This is our home, and he’s welcoming us with CRS,” referring to the riot police. Macron, who had a prior breakfast meeting with French farmers’ union leaders, was slated to tour the trade fair later.
Addressing the unrest, Macron remarked to reporters, “I’m saying this for all farmers: you’re not helping any of your colleagues by smashing up stands, you’re not helping any of your colleagues by making the show impossible, and in a way scaring families away from coming.”
Despite his attempt to engage with farmers, Macron canceled a planned debate at the fair, opting to convene farmers’ union representatives and sector stakeholders at the Elysee palace in three weeks. He denied reports of inviting the controversial environmentalist group Soulevements de la Terre to the debate, further intensifying the farmers’ anger.
The impromptu heated discussion between Macron and demonstrators was broadcast live on French news channels. The Paris farm show, drawing approximately 600,000 visitors over nine days, is a significant political event in France, where leaders engage with the public under intense media scrutiny.
Farmers’ protests, echoing across Europe, have raised concerns about their political ramifications, particularly as they represent a growing constituency for the far right. French farmers had recently suspended protests after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal pledged new measures amounting to 400 million euros ($433 million). However, protests resumed this week, demanding more government assistance and the fulfillment of promises, just ahead of the Paris farm show.