France, March 22 -- French senators have voted by a large majority against the ratification of the free trade deal between the European Union and Canada known as Ceta. In a blow to French President Emmanuel Macron, the rejection follows weeks of protests by farmers opposed to such liberal trade policies.

In a closely watched ballot on Thursday, 211 senators opposed the ratification of the free-trade deal while 44 voted in favour.

The no vote came after left and right-wing opposition parties teamed up in an unusual alliance to scupper the deal.

Free-trade deals, a symbol of the EU's will to open up markets and boost competition, have become the target of fierce criticism across the political spectrum since farmers in France and other EU...