On Friday 27 February 2026, Greenpeace Luxembourg issued an official response to the European Commission’s announcement that it would impose the provisional application of the EU–Mercosur trade agreement.
Greenpeace Luxembourg highlighted that the Commission’s actions would allow for the bypassing of a ratification vote from the European Parliament and the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the legality of the text.
Gauthier Hansel, Campaigner at Greenpeace Luxembourg, said: “This manoeuvre by Ursula von der Leyen reflects genuine desperation. It demonstrates that she is prioritising the interests of a handful of multinationals over the rights of citizens and the protection of the environment. However, this attempt to evade democratic scrutiny will only strengthen opposition to this destructive treaty. Trampling on democracy and circumventing justice will not strengthen Europe in an already particularly unstable world.”
He added: “In Luxembourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, has still not responded to the parliamentary question submitted on 22 January regarding the government’s position on this matter, instead requesting additional time. By shirking his responsibilities through silence, Minister Bettel is making himself complicit in this denial of European democracy.”
