Because of violent farmers’ protests against the Mercosur free trade agreement in Brussels’ European Quarter, EU Parliament employees were taken to other buildings for security reasons. In addition, an internal message available to the dpa news agency says: “All employees who are in the buildings in Brussels are asked to stay away from windows while the police bring the situation under control.”
A parliamentary spokeswoman said some European Parliament buildings were closed following disruptions to public order during the farmers’ protests Brussels been damaged. The security situation is being closely monitored by Parliament in coordination with the local authorities. At least one person was injured during the protests.
Hundreds of tractors in Brussels
According to organizers, around 10,000 people demonstrated in the Belgian capital police numbered about 7,300 people and hundreds of tractors. Officers used water cannons and tear gas after protesters tried to break through barriers.
In addition, demonstrators set fires and ignited pyrotechnics. The attacks were aimed, among other things, directly at the European Parliament. Demonstrators threw potatoes and fireworks at the building. Fires were also set in front of the European Parliament, as can be seen in the pictures. The fires were completely extinguished by evening, as Ulrich Ladurner, foreign correspondent for ZEIT in Brussels, reported. The farmers are said to have withdrawn around 6 p.m.
Farmers from Germany also traveled to the protests. According to an initial estimate by the Bavarian Farmers’ Association, around 500 Germans took part in the protest. Günther Felßner, Vice President of the German Farmers’ Association, said: “We are here as Europeans. Europe needs stability – and this stability starts with agriculture.” EU agricultural support is a stabilization instrument for food security, for rural areas and for European cohesion.
Von der Leyen meets with representatives of farmers
At the same time, an EU summit is taking place in the Belgian capital to discuss the controversial Mercosur agreement with important South American states. The new free trade zone between the EU and the Mercosur states with more than 700 million inhabitants would, according to the EU Commission, be the largest of its kind in the world. The authority negotiated the agreement last December completed despite criticism from countries such as France.
Farmers reject the trade pact because they fear disproportionate competition from cheap imports from South America. They are also worried that there could be cuts in EU agricultural support in the next budget. The Italian farmers’ association also announced: “It is madness to take 90 billion from European farmers to give it to German cannons!” At around midday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with farmers’ representatives. She shared: “In times of uncertainty, our farmers need reliability and support.” Europe will always be behind them.
Signing on the brink
The signing was actually scheduled for Saturday in Brazil – However, this requires a certain majority among the EU countries. A decision is expected at the EU summit. It was unclear until recently whether the necessary majority would be achieved. The conclusion of the agreement could now be postponed until next year.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had meanwhile shown himself ready to give the EU further time to think about it. Lula said he would pass on a request from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for more time to the other Mercosur states. Meloni asked him for “one week, ten days, maximum one month” to think about it, after which Italy would be ready to sign, he said. On Wednesday he warned that his patience was running out.
