By Athena Papakosta

The farmers’ mobilizations are taking the form of an avalanche France with the tractors approaching the French capital, Paris.

Roadblocks, tractors in convoys, bales of straw, manure, tires and imported food on fire but also unbridled anger compose the scene of the first major crisis for the newly appointed, two weeks ago, French Prime Minister, Gabriel Atal.

Farmers in France are demanding protection of the agricultural sector from unfair competition from abroad, a reduction in red tape – to make their lives easier, and an answer to low incomes and rising costs of agricultural production. They make it clear that they will continue their mobilizations, which are now in their second consecutive week, until their demands are met and they are threatening to lay siege to Paris in the next 24 hours.

Today, Friday, they await the measures that the government of Emmanuel Macron will bring to the table, which are expected to concern, among other things, the taxation of agricultural fuels.

In recent weeks, the whole of Europe has been living to the rhythm of a pan-European wave of mobilizations.

From the Germany who first opened the dance of mobilizations and farmers demand to maintain the subsidy for diesel fuel but also the support to the agricultural sector… in Romania, where farmers are protesting for 14 days against the high cost of their professional activity and cheap imports from Ukraine.

The baton is also received by Poland where tractor engines have just been fired up as Polish farmers denounce “uncontrolled” imports of Ukrainian agricultural products and call for a review of the Common Agricultural Policy as well as Italy which sees farmers’ mobilizations multiply on its territory with main demands for the review of wholesale prices and the ban on synthetic meat.

But now the farmers also reach the Belgiumthe heart of the European Union that is looking for a field of understanding.

Analysts observe that the agricultural issue may develop into the hottest topic of the European elections as the extreme right is already trying to exploit the mass anger of farmers.

At FranceMarine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party – which polls put in first place, ahead of the Macron-based coalition of parties – is standing by farmers, declaring that “farmers’ worst enemies are in government”.

At the same time, from Brussels, the rising “star” of the French far-right, Marion Marechal – Le Pen’s niece but also the lead candidate of the “Recovery” party of her aunt’s opponent, Eric Zemur – joined her voice with the farmers in front of the European Parliament and “plowing” the moment he said: “the crucial question is what we will do on June 9”.

Concerned Brussels are launching a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture to overcome obstacles… by talking.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, speaking of “polarization” and acknowledging that there is a “sense of urgency” emphasizes that these discussions aim “to find a new consensus on issues with which we all struggle”.

But farmers across much of Europe have been building anger for months fighting “green” policies, protesting high taxation and demanding government support through more subsidies.

They are asking to receive guarantees and economic breathing while they are faced with the challenge of climate change (drought, floods) but also with the geopolitical challenges that brought an energy crisis and pushed up the cost of agricultural production, thus reducing their income .