&w=3840&q=100)
Yellow Hat revolt in France: Farmers up in arms, headache for Macron as support for Le Pen swells
The Yellow Hat movement that has taken over rural France has become a major headache for French President Emmanuel Macron, but a key to the parliament for National Rally's Marine Le Pen read more
A yellow wave is taking over rural France with farmers in the country expressing discontent with the French President Emmanuel Macron and his government. This month, hundreds gather to celebrate a landmark victory for their movement, led by Coordination Rurale Union.
The group that staged demonstrations across the country is known for its signature yellow hats and had made unprecedented gains in February's farming union elections. With the win, the union broke the hegemony of the establishment FNSEA in representing farmers in France and Brussels.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
According to Politico, the Coordination Rurale Union was at the forefront of recent farmers' protests in France, outflanking the FNSEA with hard-hitting action, ranging from confrontations with President Emmanuel Macron to setting manure on fire in front of government buildings. However, the aggressive tactics of the group also acquired criticism for what rivals said are intimidation tactics.
How it started and its connection with the National Rally Party
According to the reportage by Politco, the movement was born 40 kilometers from Auch, in the heart of Gasscony, near the Spanish border. Serge Bousquet-Cassagne one of the key figures of the group has around 17 court appearances for actions ranging from vandalizing supermarkets to illegally constructing water basins used for irrigation.
'In this country, if you don't burn cars you don't get acknowledged,' he said during a conversation with Politico. Interestingly, Bousquet-Cassagne is closely associated with the French political far right, having called National Rally President Jordan Bardella 'their last hope.'
The close association has also sparked speculations that the movement is being fueled by the right-wing party led by Marine Le Pen. Not only this, the overall farmers' protests have also led to a large chunks of the French countryside swinging far right.
How Le Pen's party support is swelling
After winning popularity in the industrial area of France, rural heartlands can prove to be a strong reservoir for the National Rally. The party has been trying to gain support in the region by blaming mainstream parties for failed farming policies and accusing Brussels of exposing EU markets to cheaper and inferior foreign produce.
According to the Reconquête Poll, 62 per cent of Yellow hat farmers are hard-core supporters of nationalist parties. The survey was conducted ahead of last June's European election by research institutes Cevipof and INP Ensat.
Overall support for both the Yellow Hats union and Marine Le Pen's party has surged in many parts of rural France, including in Gers, the administrative district to which Auch belongs. In last June's snap elections, the National Rally got 35 per cent of the vote from this region.
Interestingly, that was up 15 percentage points from two years ago in a region that used to be a stronghold of the Social Democrats. Hence, in the year, the movement has become a strong asset to Le Pen and a headache to Macron.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Hegseth will skip a meeting on organizing military aid to Ukraine in a first for the US
WASHINGTON — For the first time since the U.S. created an international group to coordinate military aid to Ukraine three years ago, America's Pentagon chief will not be in attendance when more than 50 other defense leaders meet Wednesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who returned from a national security conference in Singapore on Sunday, will not arrive in Brussels until Wednesday evening, after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's meeting is over. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss scheduling details, confirmed that Hegseth also will not participate by video conference. It is the latest in a series of steps that the U.S. has taken to distance itself from the Ukraine war effort. And it comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron's warning at the security conference last weekend that the U.S. and others risk a dangerous double standard if their concentration on a potential conflict with China is done at the cost of abandoning Ukraine. France and other NATO nations are concerned that the U.S. is considering withdrawing troops from Europe to shift them to the Indo-Pacific. Macron said abandoning Ukraine would eventually erode U.S. credibility in deterring any potential conflict with China over Taiwan. Hegseth's predecessor, Lloyd Austin, created the group after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Since then, more than 50 member nations have collectively provided Ukraine with some $126 billion in weapons and military assistance, including over $66.5 billion from the U.S. Under Austin's leadership, the U.S. served as chair of the group, and he and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff attended monthly meetings, which were both in person and by video. Hegseth has upended that position by stepping away from a leadership role, providing no new military aid and now abandoning the gathering altogether. During his first meeting with the group and a subsequent NATO defense ministers gathering in Brussels in February, Hegseth warned that Ukraine should abandon its NATO bid and its push to reclaim all Russian-occupied territory. And he signaled that President Donald Trump is determined to get Europe to assume most of the financial and military responsibilities for Ukraine's defense. Since Trump took office, there have been no new announcements of U.S. military or weapons aid to Ukraine. Hegseth also turned leadership of the group over to Germany and the United Kingdom. While he will not attend Wednesday's session, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of U.S. European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander, will be there. In Washington, meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is in town for talks about defense, sanctions and postwar recovery, said Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office. The Ukrainians met with U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, discussing recent talks with the Russians and conditions on the battlefield, Yermak posted on social media. Svyrydenko and Yermak also are expected to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials Wednesday. Associated Press writer Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
India-France CEO Forum: Indian business leaders pushes for strengthening bilateral trade and investment, FTA
Paris [France], June 3 (ANI): At the India-France CEO Forum in Paris saw enthusiastic discussions on strengthening bilateral trade and investment on Tuesday. The forum highlighted the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which would not only boost trade but also build trust and chemistry between India and France. The Indian business leaders highlighted the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, which would not only boost trade but also build trust and chemistry between India and France. Both Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his French counterpart Laurent Saint-Martin expressed optimism over the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. Indian industry leaders, including Sanjay Nayar (ASSOCHAM), Sunil Vachani (Dixon Technologies), Rikant Pittie (EaseMyTrip), and Ravi Limaye (Wockhardt), shared their insights on the opportunities and challenges in the India-France partnership. They emphasised the potential for collaboration in areas like manufacturing, tourism, and technology. 'Three things stood out for me, the enthusiasm of both the ministers, our minister Piyush Goyal and the French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin about getting the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) done. The message coming out is more than just a trade. It is more about building trust and chemistry, which we have, it takes it to a new level with FTA...,' said Sanjay Nayar, President, Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on India-France CEO Forum and meeting between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and French Minister Laurent Saint-Martin. The forum drew participation from several leading French companies. Indian delegation urged French businesses to explore India as a key manufacturing and investment destination. Sunil Vachani, Chairman of Dixon Technologies, pointed out, 'There was a big attendance of French companies, they showed a great interest from their side. The biggest reason for this is that France's biggest companies are looking for an alternative supply chain and a reliable partner that can manufacture globally. Minister Piyush Goyal kept this fact forward, saying that they won't get a better alternative than is a big was to come forward and invest in India...' Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder and CEO of EaseMyTrip, spoke about the potential for collaboration in tourism and human capital. 'We had a very insightful discussion today with the French companies. I briefed about what the different potential collaboration opportunities are between India and could be a potential synergy between India and France on the diversified talent pool. India currently has approximately 1.5 million engineering graduates every and France can deepen their relationship with tourism corridors,' he added. Ravi Limaye, Managing Director of Wockhardt, welcomed the momentum towards the FTA. 'I think this was a very important meeting, as the minister said, the trade between India and France is about USD 15 billion, which hardly indicates the kind of potential these two countries have. There are lots of opportunities to increase this trade and do business that will help both these countries. So I think this is a good start,' he added. Limaye further emphasised that the two countries of lots of potential and can increase trade and business. 'The trade between India and France is about $15 billion, which hardly indicates the kind of potential these two countries have. Lots of opportunities to increase this trade and do business that will help both these countries. I think this is a good start...' Moreover, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the need for reforms in the multilateral trading system. She emphasized India's crucial role in shaping the future of the WTO and its potential to lead the way for other developing countries. 'I am very happy that we have the occasion of the mini-ministerial and certainly happy that Minister Piyush is here and will participate, I think he will give a chance to ministers invited by the Australians to be able to talk to each other about the possible reforms to the WTO. Of course the multilateral trading system has been disrupted in a way it hasn't been before. But, sometimes I see challenges as opportunities and I think this is a very good opportunity for the WTO members to look at what are those things that work and should be members think that it is a very valuable organisation but it should be repositioned and that's why the mini-minsterial is very important because ministers are going to start that discussion prior to MC14,' said Okonjo-Iweala. Union Minister Piyush Goyal met WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi in Paris, France. 'Meeting with Minister Goyal was very productive. We spoke about all these issues, about reforms, about the issues India is interested in - like agriculture and how MC14, we need India as a leader. India is a leading country and India is doing well. So, India needs to open the way for other developing countries...,' added the WTO Director-General. Goyal also me with ATR Aircraft CEO Nathalie Tarnaud Laude in Paris. The underscored India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. (ANI)
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
French Police Officer To Go On Trial For Murder Of Teenager
Paris: A French police officer charged with murder in the deadly shooting of a teenager in 2023 that sparked violent protests across the country will go on trial next year, the Nanterre prosecutor's office said on Tuesday. In March, prosecutors requested that one of two officers investigated over the June 27 shooting of 17-year-old Nahel M. in the Paris suburb of Nanterre be put on trial. A charge of complicity in murder against the other officer was dropped. Investigating judges on Tuesday decided the trial of the officer, identified as Florian M, should take place in the Assize Court of the Hauts-de-Seine. Depending on whether there are appeals, the trial could take place in the second or the third quarter 2026, the statement from the Nanterre prosecutor's office said. Neither the policeman's lawyer, nor the lawyer for Nahel's family could be immediately reached for comment. The police officer fired at Nahel after the latter failed to comply with an order to stop his car. The boy, of North African descent, later died from his wounds. A video shared on social media, verified by Reuters, showed two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes-AMG, with one firing his weapon as the driver pulled away. Nahel's death and the video were shared on social media, drawing widespread anger and provoking several nights of unrest in Nanterre and other cities across France.
