Date: January 29, 2024.
Overview:
The escalation of agricultural activities in France has led to growing calls for higher wages and better living conditions. On the 29th, peasants drove tractors to block the highway south of Paris, announcing an "indefinite" siege of the capital. ** Strengthened security measures and the deployment of a large number of law enforcement officers to deter the peasants from "invading" Paris.
Details:
Farmers' rally**: The French Confederation of National Trade Unions of Agricultural Producers (FNSEA) and the Young Farmers Association said members would besiege Paris "indefinitely" to demand higher incomes and better working conditions. Peasants marched towards Paris from the provinces, blocking the main roads, including the highways south of Paris.
Farmer Warnings & Targets: FNSEA President Rousseau warned that the upcoming week is one "full of dangers". The goal of the peasants was to make their displeasure felt by the Parisians, even declaring that "starving the Parisians" was their goal.
* Strengthened security: Interior Minister Darmanin announced mobilization 150,000 law enforcement officers, deployed gendarmerie armored vehicles to ensure that tractors do not enter the city of Paris. **Macron has given instructions on security actions to ensure the normal operation of the airport and the wholesale food market.
Farmers' dissatisfaction escalated: Farmers have been going on for half a month, and although a series of emergency measures have been announced, including abandoning the tax on non-road diesel, farmers believe that this is not enough to meet their demands. Farmer leaders said the response to the agricultural problem was only an "after-sales service operation".