Macron will not vote for EU-Mercosur agreement after protests

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would vote against signing a free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur on Friday.

On social media, he specified that there had been unanimous political rejection of the agreement in France despite "significant concessions" for farmers in the European Union.

"Signing the agreement is not the end of the story. I will continue to fight for the full implementation of the commitments obtained from the European Commission and for the protection of our farmers," he added.

Ireland will also vote against the agreement, as Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris has already made clear. However, as the European Commission has secured Italy's support, the agreement is likely to be approved on Friday.

During the day, French farmers blocked roads to Paris and landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe with tractors in protest against the agreement between the EU and Mercosur.

Slovakia supports the EU's trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, but is demanding guarantees to protect its domestic agricultural sector.

(reuters, max)