Overview
- The European Parliament voted 334–324 (with 11 abstentions) to seek a Court of Justice opinion on the deal’s legality, a step expected to delay final consent for 18–24 months.
- The European Commission said it regrets the decision and maintains the legal concerns are unfounded, while Germany’s Friedrich Merz and the EPP urged starting the agreement on a temporary basis.
- EU sources said the Council’s decision to authorize signature also covered provisional application, and Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani pressed to proceed, as a no‑confidence motion against Ursula von der Leyen was defeated 390–165 (10 abstentions).
- Farmer opposition loomed large, with about 5,000 protesters from 15 EU countries rallying in Strasbourg and French leaders applauding the slowdown over agricultural and sovereignty concerns.
- Mercosur capitals are pushing rapid domestic ratification, with Argentina scheduling extraordinary sessions from 2 February and Brazil preparing early‑year consideration, as the Commission touts roughly €4 billion in annual tariff savings for EU firms.