Virginie Le Brun (born c. 1974) is a French farmer, agricultural activist, and politician who was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2024. A member of the National Rally (Rassemblement National), she is known for her involvement in agricultural advocacy, particularly her role in the "Bonnets Rouges" (Red Caps) movement in Brittany.
Early Life and Agricultural Career Virginie Le Brun hails from Brittany, France, where she has been involved in the agricultural sector for many years. She worked as an agricultural technician before becoming a farmer herself. Her background has deeply informed her political and activist engagements, focusing on the concerns and challenges faced by farmers in France and the European Union. She has also been involved with agricultural unions, including the FNSEA (Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d'Exploitants Agricoles).
Activism Le Brun gained significant public recognition for her role in the "Bonnets Rouges" movement in 2013. This widespread protest movement in Brittany opposed the ecotax (taxe poids lourds) on heavy goods vehicles, which was seen as a threat to the region's agricultural and economic sectors. She became a prominent figure in the movement, articulating the grievances of farmers and businesses against what they perceived as excessive taxation and regulations impacting their livelihoods.
Political Career Le Brun's political journey saw her align with the National Rally (Rassemblement National), a nationalist and Eurosceptic political party in France. Leveraging her background in agriculture and her activist profile, she ran for elections as a candidate for the party.
In the 2024 European Parliament election, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament. Her platform largely focused on defending French agricultural interests, reforming European agricultural policies, and advocating for reduced bureaucracy and more favorable conditions for farmers within the EU. Her election reflects a growing trend of agricultural voices entering European politics, often critical of current environmental and trade policies.