EU Accused of "Bypassing Democracy" in Major Trade Deal Push

A far-right group in the European Parliament has launched a formal attempt to censure the EU's executive branch over a controversial trade agreement. The "Identity and Democracy" group filed a motion against the European Commission. It accuses the Commission of ignoring democratic processes to finalize a deal with Mercosur, a South American trade bloc. The motion claims the Commission is "bypassing" both the European Parliament and national governments. It also says the EU is ignoring serious concerns from European farmers. Farmers fear the agreement will allow cheaper food imports from South America. They argue this will hurt their businesses and environmental standards. A censure motion is a serious political tool. However, it is very unlikely to pass without support from larger political groups. The move primarily signals strong opposition and aims to delay the trade deal's approval. The EU Commission has pursued the Mercosur agreement for years. It says the deal will open new markets for European companies and strengthen economic ties.