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European Parliament: Sudden 'Brake' on Mercosur Agreement

Published January 25, 2026, 06:14

The European Parliament has decided to “brake” the implementation of the Mercosur agreement for a free trade zone between the EU and four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay), requesting the involvement of the European Court of Justice. This decision, which overturns initial predictions, could delay the ratification of the agreement by up to two years. The vote was marginal, with 334 votes in favor of referring the matter to the Court, 324 against, and 11 abstentions. The resolution proposal was submitted by the political groups of Liberals, Greens, and the Left, which do not have a majority, suggesting that the vote was influenced by national criteria rather than party discipline. Greek MEP Nikolaos Farandouris, who voted in favor of the referral, explained that the agreement has both positive and negative aspects, but strict guarantees are needed for food safety and consumer health protection. Although the European Parliament's decision is not binding, the Commission could proceed with a provisional implementation of the agreement. However, the vote demonstrates growing concern about the potential impact of the Mercosur agreement on European agriculture and food quality.