French farmers are preparing to "lay siege" to Paris: the Ministry of the Interior has warned drivers of possible difficulties
French farmers announced their intention to lay the capital, Paris, under siege during a tractor protest. The French Interior Ministry ordered the deployment of security forces on the outskirts of the city.
The farmers' discontent has reached a boiling point due to the alleged ignoring of their demands to raise prices for their products, reduce red tape and protect them from cheap imports, ABC News writes.
On Sunday evening, January 28, an emergency meeting was held where Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that 15,000 police officers were involved in an operation to protect Paris from angry French.
Law enforcement officers were ordered to prevent the blockade of the Rungis international market and to turn around convoys of farmers at the entrance to the city. Helicopters have also joined the operation to monitor suspicious convoys around Paris.
It is possible that 8 highways leading to the capital will have to be closed starting at 12:00 on Monday, January 29. In this regard, motorists were urged to reconsider their plans and prepare for "very serious difficulties."
The ministry's fears are justified, as members of the Rural Coordination union in the Lot y Garonne region, where the protests began, said they plan to use tractors to head to the Rungis International Market on Monday.
Two days ago, the government announced a series of measures that farmers believe do not fully meet their demands, and unions have said they are ready to take radical action and block roads to Paris.
Although French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited a farm in the central region of the André and Loire on Sunday, confirming the farmers' plight, they are still determined to continue the blockade.
