The atmosphere promised to be frosty between Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, this Saturday, December 7, on the square in front of Notre-Dame de Paris. And not just because of the weather. Finally, the President of the European Commission will not be there for the reopening of the cathedral, contrary to what had been announced. Officially, Brussels pleads the communication error. But it is perhaps better not to spoil the party, because, despite the frontal opposition of several countries, France in the lead, the head of the European executive concluded this Friday in Montevideo, Uruguay, the negotiations of the free trade agreement with Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay).
On the agenda, greater opening of markets, to the great dismay of certain agricultural sectors, notably beef, pork and poultry, which fear unfair and deadly competition. While they are already under pressure after the postponement of the aid measures planned by the government before the censorship.