Arthur de Laborde / Photo credit: Thomas SAMSON / AFP 2:29 p.m., January 29, 2024

While the farmers' revolt does not weaken and hundreds of tractors converge this Monday towards the capital, the government is doing everything possible to avoid a direct confrontation with the farmers. However, the hypothesis of a rise in the level of tension cannot be ruled out.

Faced with the anger of farmers, the executive is playing the card of caution. While the revolt does not weaken, and even intensifies with the establishment of blocking points around Paris, the government wants to avoid strengthening the balance of power and aggravating the crisis by repressing a movement, for the moment massively supported by the population. 

The head of state does not want to alienate farmers

On the electoral front, a few months before the European elections, Emmanuel Macron does not want to alienate farmers, the privileged recipients of the signals that the Head of State is trying to send to the right and the conservatives. However, the hypothesis of a rise in the level of tension, with more violent demonstrations and injuries on both sides, cannot be ruled out.

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Already brandished by some of the opposition, the accusations of double standards in maintaining order could then become more serious. This dark scenario would leave the head of state without a real way out and would weaken him politically, while he already has to deal with a relative majority and a popularity rating at rock bottom.