While farmer mobilizations are increasing throughout France, the demonstrators benefit from the support of the population.
Farmers’ protests continue this Wednesday, January 24 and are intensifying. After the emotion caused by the death of a farmer and her daughter following a collision with a car on a roundabout in Ariège, the movement did not weaken and was gaining momentum. The president of the FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, announced this morning on France 2 actions in around 85 departments between now and Friday.
Do the French fear a blockade of the country? The polling company Toluna Harris Interactive carried out an online survey on Tuesday in partnership with RTL to take the pulse of the French and measure their feelings regarding this large-scale, highly publicized movement. The survey was carried out among 1029 adults.
The survey reveals that among the respondents, 82% of them support the farmers’ movement. As the pollster specifies, “this level of support is shared across all political sensitivities as well as by French people living in rural areas as well as those in city centers.” The same goes for the demands put forward by farmers, 92% of participants say they understand the agricultural sector’s reasons for demonstrating. And 60% of those questioned would even be ready to pay more for the products of French farmers so that the latter are better paid.
The poll adds that French support for the farmers’ cause is higher than it was for the yellow vest movement at its beginnings in 2018, which obtained the support of 72% of the population, according to another poll by Toluna Harris Interactive.
The French, however, seem a little less harsh with the current government than during the yellow vest movement. Indeed, the survey reveals that “8 out of 10 French people believe that the government is not up to the task.” Whereas in 2018, 90% said they had little confidence in the government. While “7 out of 10 French people say they approve of road and highway blockages” they are also mostly opposed to the intervention of law enforcement to put an end to the blockages.