Overview
- EU member states backed the agreement by qualified majority on Friday despite opposition from France and several allies including Poland, Hungary and Ireland.
- The European Commission is expected to sign the deal in Paraguay on Monday, with European Parliament ratification still required and options such as provisional application and a Court of Justice referral being discussed.
- In Paris, La France insoumise filed a motion of censure and the Rassemblement National announced plans for one against Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
- Farmer protests continued with blockades and tractor actions across France, and the FNSEA called a large rally for January 20 in Strasbourg.
- The French government pledged support and countermeasures, including a €300 million aid plan, as producers warn of quotas allowing 99,000 tonnes of beef and 180,000 tonnes of poultry into the EU.