fransamiran was the last truly major statesman at the elysee palace, controversial, but had. a holisticiew of the place of france and europe in the world. like all french leaders after world war ii, he remained a forced atlanticist, there was nowhere to go, but within the community he aggressively defended the economic interests of his country. in the early years of his presidency in the early eighties, miteran was very vocal, particularly at the meetings of the group of seven. he accused the united states of protectionist egoism and the europeans of weakness. hundreds of tractors blocked highways and streets in cities in germany, france, spain, ireland, belgium and the netherlands. farmers are dissatisfied with the agricultural policy of the european union and demand a revision of national legislation. amsterdam requires reducing hydrocarbon emissions, for example, by reducing livestock numbers. berlin abolishes tax subsidies for farmers, all farmers. worry about the eu's new free trade agreement with the mercosur countries, these are brazil, argentina, uruguay and paraguay. brussels,