FLASH
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French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled a major shift in the security policy of France and all of Europe, announcing a historic increase in the defense budget for the next two years.
In a speech delivered to the Armed Forces troops on the eve of National Day on July 14, Macron made it clear that the continent can no longer rely solely on the US and NATO for its security.
"To be free in this world, we must be feared. And to be feared, we must be strong," he declared, conveying a strong message about France's ambition to lead European defense in an era of growing risks.
In concrete terms, Macron announced a €6.5 billion increase in the military budget, with the goal of reaching €64 billion a year by 2027 – more than double the budget of 2017, when he took office. The increase comes at a time when Europe is on the brink of a new security crisis, with multiple threats ranging from Russian aggression and international terrorism to cyberwarfare and massive online disinformation.
Beyond the budgetary aspect, Macron also touched on the role of the French nuclear arsenal, calling on European Union countries for a strategic dialogue on the role of nuclear weapons in the architecture of common security. “European security cannot be thought of without this strategic dimension,” he said, adding that the time for illusions is over.
Although the proposed measures have found great support on the French political right, the left has sharply criticized this approach, describing it as an "attack on social rights" at a time when public debt is at high levels and inflation remains sensitive.
On the international front, Macron aims to position France as an independent military and strategic pillar within the EU, at a time when more and more European countries are increasing their defense spending. According to the latest SIPRI report, European military spending has reached $693 billion, with an annual increase of 17% – the fastest pace since the end of the Cold War.
In this polarized context, between an uncertain West and an increasingly aggressive East, Macron's statement is more than a budgetary policy – it is a call for awakening and rebuilding European strategic autonomy.
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