Protesting farmers tighten squeeze on France’s government with ‘siege’ of Olympic host city Paris

PARIS (AP) — Protesting farmers are vowing to encircle Paris with tractor barricades and drive-slows in a battle with the government over their industry’s future. Traffic blockages were starting to be put in place on Monday on major highways heading for the French capital — host of the Summer Olympics in six months. The disruptions and continued protests elsewhere in France promise another difficult week for new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. Attal sought but failed to defuse the farmers’ protest movement last week with a series of pro-agriculture measures. Farmers said they fell short of their demands that producing food be more lucrative and easier. They responded with vows to converge with their tractors on major highways that serve Paris.