France's Nuclear Weapons Should be Part of European Defense Debate, Macron Says
France's nuclear weapons should be part of the European defense debate,
French President Emmanuel Macron told a group of regional newspapers on
Sunday, in comments that drew fire from his political opponents ahead of
EU elections in June.
Macron has been more strident on defense issues recently, having called
on Thursday for stronger, more integrated European defenses as he
outlined his vision for a more assertive European Union on the global
stage, saying "Europe could die."
In an interview set up by EBRA, a group of French eastern regional
newspapers, he said a "credible European defense" should go beyond the
protection already offered by NATO.
"That may mean deploying anti-missile shields, but we need to be sure
that they block all missiles and deter the use of nuclear weapons," he
said.
Regarding nuclear weapons, while France's doctrine has so far been to
use them when the country's vital interests are threatened, Macron said
he was open to give a more "European dimension" to these interests.
"I'm in favor of opening this debate, which must therefore include
missile defense, long-range weapons and nuclear weapons for those who
have them or who have American nuclear weapons on their soil," he said.
His comments drew criticism from opponents on the right and the left of the political spectrum on Sunday.
"Macron is becoming a national danger!," far-right European lawmaker Thierry Mariani wrote on social media platform X.
"#We can't wait for June 9th to give him a clear signal that his
policies are over!," Mariani, a member of France's Rassemblement
National (RN) headed by Marine Le Pen, added in a reference to the
approaching EU parliamentary elections.
"These comments are exceptionally serious," said European lawmaker
Francois-Xavier Bellamy, who will lead right-wing party LR into the EU
vote.
"We are touching the nerve of French sovereignty," he added in an interview on Europe 1 radio station.
Those at the other end of the political spectrum were equally angry at Macron's comments.
"The nuclear deterrent cannot be shared," said far-left French
lawmaker Bastien Lachaud on X. "Under the guise of defending European
soil, #Macron wants to liquidate France's strategic autonomy."
