The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday asking for a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on whether or not the recently signed EU-Mercosur trade agremeent conforms with the EU Treaties.
About the Resolution and the Vote
The resolution, originally penned by the Left, narrowly passed with 334 votes in favor, 324 against and 11 abstentions. That being said, it captured votes from the far left to the far right, including from the Left (far-left), Socials and Democrats (left-center), the Greens, Renew Europe (centrist), the ruling European People’s party (center-right), European Conservatives and Reformists (right), Patriots for Europe (right/far-right), Europe of Sovereign Nations (far-right) and Non-Inscrits.
A second resolution, also demanding a legal assessment was rejected with 225 votes for, 402 against and 13 abstentions. It is not uncommon for different political parties to sponsor similar resolutions, and in this case the first vote which passed prevails.
According to an official announcement by the EP, “the legal basis of the EU-Mercosur partnership agreement (EMPA) and the interim trade agreement (iTA) will now be reviewed by the ECJ. The European Parliament will continue its examination of the texts, while awaiting the opinion of the EU Court. Only then, Parliament will be able to vote to grant consent (or not) to the Agreement.”
Reacting to the vote, prominent German MEP Bernd Lange took to X, calling those voting to send the agreement to the ECJ “absolutely irresponsible”, as the move may delay the implementation of the agreement for several years.
Absolutely irresponsible. This is an own goal. Those against #EU #Mercosur should vote against in consent procedure instead of using delaying tactics under the guise of legal review. Very harmful for our economic interests and standing. Team Europe putting itself offside.
— Bernd Lange (@berndlange) January 21, 2026
Speaking with To Vima International at the EP on the condition of anonymity ahead of the vote, several MEPs from the Left expressed that their party has lost trust in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, citing concerns about transparency in vaccine deals during Covid, and more recently, procedures over ReArm Europe.
In a post after the vote, the Left celebrated “Victory”, saying that the results are a “blow” to the treaty, which is “destructive to agriculture, the climate and health.”
🔴 VICTORY!
The European Parliament has voted for The Left’s request to refer the Mercosur agreement to the ECJ.
A blow to this treaty, which is destructive to agriculture, the climate, and health.
“A great victory for farmers. A great victory for the Left” – @lukeming pic.twitter.com/cRTDRDf1Bp
— The Left in the European Parliament (@Left_EU) January 21, 2026
European think-tanks have noted the uniqueness of the composition of political resistence against the EU-Mercosur Agreement, as it has managed to unite a broad political spectrum against the deal, including the far left and far right.
Cheering Farmers and a Blow for President von der Leyen
Meanwhile, outside of the EP, thousands of farmers could be heard celebrating upon learning news of the vote, along with explosions as they set off flares. The farmers, mostly French, drove hundreds of tractors to Strasbourg and parked outside of the EP in protest of the EU-Mercosur agreement, effectively grinding public transportation around the EP to a halt on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Farmers from across Europe react after the European Parliament voted on whether to refer the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in Strasbourg, France, January 21, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
The agreement, if eventually implemented, is expected to carry a heavy cost for French farmers, but benefit the car industry, particularly German manufacturers.
The political cost of the resistance to the EU-Mercosur agreement is particularly high for President von der Leyen, who was hoping that the agreement, signed in Paraguay on January 17, 2026 would create one of the world’s largest free trade zones.
President von der Leyen has repeatedly said that the deal, which was 25 years in the making between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, would send a strong signal to US President Donald Trump that the EU chooses “partnership and fair trade over tariffs.”
EP Plenary session – Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, ahead of the EU-Mercosur ECJ vote.
The future of the trade deal is now uncertain: Mercosur countries have already voiced frustration over repeated delays, and the decision to seek an opinion from the ECJ before formal approval by the EP risks pushing the agreement into indefinite limbo.
