Serious clashes occur now outside European Parliament where farmers from 27 EU member states protesting collided with police forces. ERTnews correspondent Elena Apostolidou reports from scene: extensive tear gas use, police water cannon deployment after protesters threw objects and stones.
Farmers reached directly before Parliament, lining up tractors around the building. Christmas tree outside caught fire amid chaos; burned scooters, trees, debris scattered.
Explosive atmosphere persists
The situation remains explosive, suffocating from tear gas. Farmers throwing potatoes and produce at police remain on site despite repeated pushback attempts. Protesters blocked from European Council where the Summit is underway, reached as close as possible to the Parliament.
Farmers’ arrival surprised police; official 11am call, but many arrived from the previous night. Initial no-tractor announcement proved decoy; ~400 tractors encircled Parliament.
Initial tolerance turns violent
Initial police tolerance allowed perimeter approach under a peaceful protest condition. Situation escalated beyond expectations.
40 agricultural unions from 27 EU states present; more protesters expected. Luxembourg Square rendezvous outside Parliament: ~2.5 hours stay, speeches, next steps discussions.
Demands: CAP funding, Mercosur rejection
Hundreds tractors, thousands of farmers filled Brussels streets hours before the Summit start demanding production cost reduction, CAP changes.
Key demands: maintain CAP with uniformity, adequate funding; oppose Latin America deal (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay) as “historic mistake, harmful”; simpler regulations, better legal security, adaptation to new production challenges.
Greek producers among demands seek production cost support.
Unprecedented security amid Summit
Brussels center has unprecedented security as Summit proceeds with Zelensky presence, Ukraine funding discussions. Police early blocked roads, banned pedestrians on key avenues without EU accreditation; tense atmosphere.
Also read: Teachers and farmers protest today – What are their demands?
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