18.12.2025 17:56
During the EU Leaders' Summit in Brussels, 10,000 farmers organized protests to oppose agricultural policies and the Mercosur agreement. Farmers blocking roads with tractors turned the streets into a battlefield.
While the European Union (EU) Leaders Summit continues in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, around 10,000 farmers from 27 European countries blocked roads with tractors during protests against the EU's agricultural policies and the "Mercosur" (Southern Common Market) agreement, turning the streets into a battlefield by throwing stones at the European Parliament (EP) buildings.
During the European Union (EU) Leaders Summit held today in Brussels, approximately 10,000 farmers from 27 EU countries filled the streets to protest the EU's agricultural policies and the "Mercosur" (Southern Common Market) farming agreement.
STREETS TURNED INTO A WAR ZONE
Farmers, who gathered in the capital at the call of farmer unions stating that they are in a difficult situation due to the EU's restrictive policies, turned the streets into a battlefield. Farmers, who had previously held various protests in Brussels, equipped their tractors, which they drove from different regions of Belgium to Brussels last night, to drag the security barriers set up to block them in order to clear the roads.
The tractors that reached Brussels this morning advanced towards the EU Council building, primarily from many main roads leading to EU buildings. Despite all police interventions, the tractors managed to reach the vicinity of the buildings.
POLICE INTERVENED WITH WATER CANNONS AND TEAR GAS
Ignoring the police behind the barriers, farmers continued to drive their tractors, causing chaos in front of the European Parliament (EP) building. While farmers lit fires in front of the EP, they also threw stones, smoke bombs, and fireworks at the surrounding parliamentary buildings.
The police barricades in Luxembourg Square were also demolished by tractors. In response to protesters who displayed a much tougher stance compared to previous demonstrations, the police increased the intensity of their intervention. Security forces intervened with tear gas and water cannons against protesters who broke down the barricades and disregarded police obstacles. No statement has yet been made regarding the number of injuries and arrests during the violent incidents.
UKRAINE IS ON THE LEADERS' AGENDA
The farmers who caused chaos in Brussels are demanding that the EU increase its common agricultural policy budget and step back from the "Mercosur" agreements aimed at expanding the EU's agricultural product imports. However, the agenda of the EU leaders gathered today includes details regarding the aid budget to be provided to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. It is expected that the leaders will discuss the "joint borrowing idea" as they do not want Russia to unilaterally use the frozen 210 billion euros of Russian assets in Belgian banks.
"MERCOSUR AGREEMENT WILL DESTROY FARMERS"
It is known that the Mercosur agreement is being negotiated for a duration of 25 years. The agreement, which is expected to cover a market of approximately 780 million people, is projected to eliminate most trade tariffs within 15 years. Farmers are also concerned that there may be cuts in subsidies under the planned Common Agricultural Policy reforms after 2027.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who attended today's Leaders Summit, referred to the protest carried out by European farmers in a statement to the press during the summit, saying, "Mercosur will destroy farmers. This is equivalent to shooting and binding them at the knees. They will have no chance in global competition."