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by Mathieu Rosemain
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s nuclear weapons should be part of the debate on European defense, Emmanuel Macron said in several regional newspapers on Sunday, sparking criticism from oppositions in France in the run-up to the European elections in June.
The French head of state has recently been on the offensive on defense issues, notably calling on Thursday for stronger and more integrated European defenses, while setting out his vision of a more assertive European Union on the world stage.
“We must be lucid about the fact that our Europe today is mortal: it can die and it depends solely on our choices,” he then said in a long speech at the Sorbonne.
In an interview organized by EBRA, a group of regional newspapers in eastern France, Emmanuel Macron said that a “credible European defense” should go beyond the protection already offered by NATO.
“That may mean deploying anti-missile shields, but we must be sure that they block all missiles, and deter the use of nuclear power,” he said.
Regarding nuclear weapons, while France’s doctrine has so far been to use them when the country’s vital interests are threatened, Emmanuel Macron said he was open to the idea of giving a “European dimension “to these interests.
“I am in favor of opening this debate, which must therefore include anti-missile defense, long-range weapon firing, nuclear weapons for those who have them or who have American nuclear weapons on their soil” , he continued.
Emmanuel Macron’s comments sparked criticism from all sides in France on Sunday.
“Macron is becoming a national danger!
#Vivement June 9″, wrote on the social network X Thierry Mariani, MEP from the National Rally (RN), referring to the European elections.
For Les Républicains (LR) MEP François-Xavier Bellamy, “This expression (that of Emmanuel Macron) is exceptionally serious”.
“We are touching the very nerve of French sovereignty,” he added in an interview with the Europe 1 radio station.
On the left, Emmanuel Macron’s comments also caused controversy.
“Nuclear deterrence cannot be shared. Under the cover of defending European soil, #Macron wants to liquidate French strategic autonomy”, writes on X Bastien Lachaud, French MP for France Insoumise (FI).
(Written by Mathieu Rosemain; French version Claude Chendjou)
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