Farmers’ blockades are intensifying at the start of the week. The latter threaten to “paralyze” France “by Friday”. A rumble which comes only a few months before the European elections and which could cost the government dearly.
The farmers’ vote whets the appetite of political parties. While the anger of the agricultural world does not abate, road blockages continue, particularly in the southwest, a demonstration turned into a tragedy this Tuesday, January 23 in Ariège. A farmer died after being hit by a car, while her husband and daughter were seriously injured. An investigation has been opened and the accidental lead is favored. A crisis which comes five months before the European elections. This situation could well harm the government when others could emerge as the big winners from this standoff.
For Jean-Daniel Lévy, director of the Harris Interactive politics and opinion department, this outcry from farmers “will be beneficial in particular for the National Rally” he indicated this Tuesday at the microphone of Europe 1. He continues: “The French have often the impression that from a food point of view, at European level, actions are rather negative than positive. The general idea is that we are faced with farmers who do not earn much money, who do not count their hours and who hardly take any vacation. And who have a real mission to nourish French society” he explains.
The National Rally was precisely targeted by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal from the National Assembly on Tuesday, accusing far-right elected officials of “loot[ing] with angry anger”. In the footsteps of Gabriel Attal, the Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau targeted the RN which he accused of “never being late for demagoguery or recovery”.
The response from the president of the RN and head of the party list in the next European elections was not long in coming. “The passengers of the car that hit and killed a farmer are foreigners under OQTF. Not only do farmers suffer the difficulties and contempt of the government, but they also suffer from its lax migration. The government must be held accountable” launches Jordan Bardella on X (formerly Twitter).
The latest Ifop poll for Le Nouvel Economiste places the RN list led by Jordan Bardella in the lead with 31% voting intentions in the next European elections. The list of the presidential majority led by Olivier Véran is credited with 19% of voting intentions, it comes in second position. Reply on June 9, 2024 to know the final result.
