"La France Insoumise leader Jean-Luc Melenchon criticised the French government and media on Monday, claiming they're distracted by 'trifles' while ignoring structural threats to French sovereignty and security. "I would love to be talking with you about millionaires who don't pay taxes, about whether or not the United States will go to war with Iran. We could talk about all of that, or about things that aren't being covered at all," Melenchon stated. He claimed that France is no longer a player in European decision-making, forced to accept moral or economic lectures from German ministers. "Europe has created the biggest free-trade agreement in its entire history with India - but who's going to care about such a trifle when there's a topic as exciting as our grievance at hand?" the La France Insoumise leader said. "We would also prefer to talk about the statements of the Germans, because now, not only do we no longer matter in European decision-making, but we also have to put up with lectures on conduct from German ministers," he continued. He contrasted the public outcry over EU-Mercosur free trade deal - which triggered nationwide protests in France - with what he described as the quiet passage of a massive free-trade agreement with India. He stated: "We say, 'Mercosur is going to ruin all the farmers.' [...] 15 days later, we signed the biggest free-trade agreement with India, which has the largest population in the world. And what happens? Nothing! But the Indians, they don't joke, no. They said, 'We can talk about whatever you want - cars, power plants and the rest - but when it comes to food, we will remain sovereign, so we won't discuss it.'" The EU-India free trade deal comes following nearly two decades of talks, reducing tariffs and expanding market access for both sides. However, it came amid EU trade deal chaos - over the state of the agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, as lawmakers recently voted to refer the pact to the Court of Justice of the European Union - a move that could delay its implementation while judges examine its compatibility with EU law. That deal has seen huge protests from farmers across the EU - amid concerns of undercutting and cheap imports - with France, Austria, Hungary, Ireland and Poland voting against and Belgium abstaining. It passed by 'qualified majority' vote, a trade mechanism which can circumvent unanimity."