Branle-bas de combat to avoid a siege by farmers in Paris. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has called on law enforcement to set up a “significant defensive system to prevent any blockage” of several strategic locations in Ile-de-France, including the Rungis market and the Parisian airports. The minister has also ordered “to prohibit any entry [of protesters] into Paris,” Beauvau announced. This comes after the Rural Coordination announced plans to “block Rungis,” while the FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA) of the Parisian basin have announced a “siege of the capital for an indefinite period” starting Monday at 2 p.m.
New call for “restraint”
Gérald Darmanin, who has appeared to be particularly lenient toward the farmers since the beginning of the movement, has nonetheless renewed his call for “restraint” from law enforcement. “The posture remains the same: law enforcement must act with great restraint,” Beauvau explained. They only intervene as a last resort and only if the integrity of individuals is threatened or if public or private buildings and property are at risk of serious damage (such as actions against foreign trucks).” A crisis interministerial meeting, which will be attended by Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau, is also scheduled for 6 p.m., the Interior Ministry announced.
Sunday evening, several media outlets observed that the security system was being put in place around the Rungis market. Rarely, armored vehicles from the mobile gendarmerie – already seen during the yellow vests mobilization – are being used.
Meanwhile, the president of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, called on farmers to remain “calm and determined” ahead of “a week of all dangers,” warning that their mobilization remained “total” despite Friday’s announcements by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The president of France’s largest agricultural union spoke from a roadblock on the A16 near Beauvais (Oise), urging the government to “go much further” to meet the demands of the profession and calling on his colleagues to exercise restraint: “Our objective is not violence or provocation. If some want to do it, they will do it outside of our framework.”
Earlier on Sunday on BFM TV, the Minister of Agriculture promised “zero tolerance for violence and damage,” while expressing doubts that a blockade of Paris would serve the “interests of farmers.” Regarding the possible blockade of Rungis, Marc Fesneau pointed out that “it is the place where most French products converge […]. Do you know who they will penalize? They will penalize the farmers! Because in truth, when you block Rungis, you block the ability to sell products.”
Updated at 5:16 p.m.: Crisis meeting scheduled at 6 p.m. this Sunday.
Updated at 6:06 p.m.: With the implementation of the security system around Rungis.
