The European Parliament blocked the agreement with Mercosur and referred it to the courts – La Nación | 21/01/26

The European Parliament decided on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 to halt the approval of the recently signed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur and refer it to the Court of Justice of the EU to determine whether the deal signed in Asunción, Paraguay complies with the EU’s founding treaties. The vote was extremely narrow —334 in favor and 324 against— meaning that the top EU court based in Luxembourg must review legal aspects before the pact can be ratified and potentially enter into force. The decision was met with cheers from protesting farmers outside the Parliament, while the European Commission, whose president Ursula von der Leyen had signed the agreement days earlier, expressed regret. Additionally, a group of 144 lawmakers had already filed an appeal with the Court challenging the application of the treaty prior to full ratification. Link to Article