Macron arrived at the exhibition at the Porte de Versailles around 08:00 to meet agricultural union representatives. At the same time, protesters, some with whistles, stormed the main entrance, where clashes broke out with security. Some activists from the main French agricultural union FNSEA, the Young Farmers and the Coordination rurale organization eventually managed to break through the gate and enter the compound early, AFP reported.
Already on Friday evening several dozen farmers demonstrated in front of the fair grounds and some spent the night there. During the day, about 30 to 50 tractors, which passed through the Paris city ring road, disrupted traffic in the capital. After that, the farmers and their tractors stayed at the Paris Invalids’ Hospital for several hours.
Macron was supposed to participate in a debate with representatives of agricultural organizations at the beginning of the fair. But he canceled his participation on Friday after farmers criticized the fact that representatives of the radical environmental organization Soulèvements de la Terre (Rebellion of the Earth, SLT) had also received an invitation to the discussion. and demanded its cancellation. Instead of a discussion, Macron headed for a private meeting with some trade unionists before the fair opened.
French farmers have been protesting for several weeks against low earnings, strong regulation and what they say is unfair competition from abroad. New Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced new measures in response to the demonstrations; he promised to present a complete plan to support agriculture by the summer. But it did not suppress the demonstrations.
