Discursive remarks and several announcements marked a government effort to address a rural crisis that remains unresolved. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal delivered his general policy speech on Tuesday, a few weeks after taking office, while peasant protests continued. Agricultural unions organized blockades, disrupting traffic across the country for an indefinite period. In the Paris region, eight major motorways and roads, in addition to numerous other disruptions, underscored the depth of the crisis in the farming sector. Attal’s appearance in Parliament showcased the state’s response to persistent grievances among farmers and rural communities.
“I say this seriously: there will be a return to a policy mix that combines agricultural support with culture and public policies to bolster French cultural production,” Attal stated. He framed the country’s agricultural leadership in a manner that carries protectionist undertones, yet translating this stance into concrete actions within the single European market, where goods enjoy free movement, is a delicate task.
After initial concessions on Friday to the peasant protests that began on January 18, President Emmanuel Macron and the Attal government sought to calm tensions. A tax subsidy for rural diesel was announced, and new measures aimed at addressing the anger were unveiled. In particular, pending aid linked to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) would be clarified before March 15. Attal also signaled emergency aid for winegrowers in the south facing drought and falling consumption. While condemning unfair competition on Sunday, he outlined a plan to verify the origin of products from neighboring countries such as Spain and Italy, though details remained sparse.
Mercosur and fallow land under scrutiny
Speaking about the broader crisis on the ground, which resonated with protests in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Belgium, Attal acknowledged that not all issues could be resolved quickly: “Some aspects are complex.” He hinted at potential further discussions with other European governments, including Spain, in the coming weeks. French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesnau was set to travel to Brussels to discuss these concerns, and Macron planned a meeting with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The priorities highlighted by the administration included reducing the amount of fallow land, reassessing the Mercosur free trade agreement, and scrutinizing imports from Ukraine, particularly poultry.
Without progress on these fronts or stronger measures from the Macron-Attal government, roadblocks faced by farmers—who enjoy broad public support and a favorable national mood—were unlikely to ease. A traditional Agriculture Fair was planned through February to secure further concessions. In the meantime, farmers voiced skepticism. Grain producer Jeremy, present at the meeting, commented that the speech lacked concrete measures and that expectations for decisive actions were unmet. He conveyed his assessment to Le Figaro, noting a sense of frustration amid the motorways closures.
He argued that the real challenge was not just about standards but about free trade and European rules that permit a looser framework for some regions while enforcing stricter ones elsewhere. Olivier Faure, the secretary-general of the Socialist Party, echoed this sentiment in conversations with the Iberian press group, criticizing the openness of the European market and pointing to a perceived inconsistency in political messaging about free trade agreements.
A notably cautious speech
Attal’s remarks continued a trend from Macron’s January 9 press conference, highlighting broader policy ambitions beyond agriculture. The prime minister emphasized a right-leaning orientation in line with the president’s stance and outlined several fiscal and social measures that would shape governance in the near term.
Specific proposals included a two-billion-euro tax cut for middle-class households, potential reductions in unemployment benefits, and a nationwide expansion of a program initially tested in selected departments. The plan also touched on the universal service reform, a national service that could resemble a military-involved framework without mandatory universal service. Proposals floated to require minimum-income earners to work or study 15 hours weekly, with penalties for non-participation, were discussed as part of a broader social policy debate.
Further steps included discussions about reforming or possibly curbing benefits for illegal immigrants accessing healthcare. A separate policy idea involved a four-day workweek rather than a reduction in weekly hours, with the government absorbing associated costs, and a program to provide mobility aids for children and teens with disabilities. Critics, including opposition leaders, labeled the speech as overly reactionary, highlighting the political divide over how to balance social welfare with economic reform.
Left-leaning parties signaled plans to table a motion of censure, while The Republicans held back on a clear position. The debate reflected broader concerns about the government’s willingness to push through reforms in a context of intense social mobilization and a high public rating for farmers, alongside widespread scrutiny of policy choices. The episode underscored a moment of political contestation as the Attal-Macron administration navigates a challenging landscape of rural demands, European integration pressures, and domestic welfare priorities.