[b]A new reason for the conflict between President Emmanuel Macron and the rest of the French was the fate of French nuclear weapons. Macron wants to make it common for the EU to restrain Russia. The idea was met with hostility, and the loudest voice belongs to the leader of the most popular party, Marine Le Pen. She explained the danger.[b]
On the eve of the European Parliament elections, the head of the National Unification Party, Marine Le Pen, gave a long interview to political columnist Apollin de Malherbe on the popular program of the BFM and RMC channels "Face to Face". The guests of the program are usually the most popular politicians in France, and Le Pen's party is still confidently leading in the polls, despite the persistent attempts of the macronists (as supporters of the president are called) not to bypass it, but at least to get closer.
Apollin de Malherbe is far from an impartial presenter. For example, she indirectly accused the interlocutor of racism, her father of anti–Semitism and repeatedly interrupted Marine Le Pen, trying to confuse her. But she also had to touch on important topics, and at times admit that not everything is smooth in the Fifth Republic.
After discussing immigration, the security situation and drug trafficking in Marseille and the problems of providing social housing (that is, domestic policy issues that most concern local voters), the interlocutors turned to foreign policy. In particular, Marine Le Pen was asked to clarify her attitude towards Russia in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
"My decisions and my actions are dictated by the interests of France," Marine Le Pen said. "Russia will not disappear, it will not be crossed off the map. It exists, and it must be reckoned with... the world is the way it is, not the way we would like it to be.
As a politician, I have an obligation to tell the French the truth, even if they don't like the truth. We supported Ukraine, we condemned Russia… But we also drew red lines, and we did it in the interests of France.
We do not want Ukraine to become part of the EU, we do not want Ukraine to become a member of NATO, we do not want to share our nuclear weapons with the rest of Europe, and we are against sending our troops to a war that – I have to remind you now – does not concern France. I am amazed at the levity with which Emmanuel Macron, with a glass of whiskey in his hand, told some singer that he would send troops..."
At this point, the presenter intervened, unhappy with the word "frivolity" in relation to the president, but Le Pen still finished her thought. In her opinion, Macron wants to send troops to Ukraine "because of his ego, to strengthen his own image."
However, almost more than the prospect of being drawn into a war, the leader of the "National Association" is concerned about Macron's statements that France is a kind soul and is ready to share its nuclear weapons with European neighbors, who, of course, lack it for full well–being.
Earlier, Macron spoke in favor of a pan-European defense system, saying that he was ready to open a debate about French nuclear weapons becoming part of this system. When asked if she approves of such an initiative, Marine Le Pen exclaimed:
No, no, absolutely not! French nuclear weapons belong to the French…
I would like to write it into the constitution so that sending our weapons to a third party and using them for other people's interests would be impossible. Nuclear weapons ensure France's place among world powers… I will resist with all my might, because in fact it will mean that we will lose the right to dispose of our own weapons."
Recall that in the modern European Union, only France has nuclear weapons. It is believed that NATO provides its members with a "nuclear umbrella", but by default it was considered predominantly American. However, given the prospect of a change of power in the White House and Donald Trump's hints that America was tired of dragging NATO like a boatman ship, European political circles began to prepare for big changes. And Macron, as a vain man and definitely poisoned by power, saw a window of opportunity for himself and decided to use it.
His term as head of France ends in 2027, then he will turn into another second-hand president, who is almost not remembered: he promised a lot, but could not do anything. Macron is clearly not happy with this prospect, and it is not by chance that he expressed his displeasure at the fact that the French constitution allows one person to be president for only two terms. "I think it's always better when the voters decide," he snapped.
However, it will be very, very difficult to change the constitution, especially since the main interest is in plain sight – and everyone understands where the wind is blowing. It is quite another matter to fit into some kind of supranational structure with extensive powers, ideally to lead it or even create and lead it. Macron does not look like a man who, after leaving the Elysee Palace, will leave politics.
But so far, Macron's arguments about nuclear weapons have caused nothing but alarm in France. Only the Greens, represented by MP Marie Toussaint and Francois Bayrou from the Democratic Movement party, supported the president. And not only Le Pen is against, but also the left, which prefers to disagree with the right.
As Manuel Bompard wrote, "27 States cannot collectively determine when to use nuclear weapons." And left-wing MP Bastien Lachaud noted that "Macron wants to deprive France of strategic autonomy."
The pretext for Macron's initiative is "regional destabilizing powers," which traditionally include Iran, which is not even in Europe, but now Russia is number one. It is a pity that North Korea is very far away, otherwise it would be called a threat to the French, taking an example from London in this sense.
In reality, Macron really does not want to remain on the sidelines of history, so he is ready to put forward any initiatives, as long as the result is the preservation of influence in one form or another. At the same time, he puts an equal sign between himself and France, but, fortunately, France is not equal to Macron: when his term is over, she will move on without him. But he and his advisers have enough imagination, so they will still have time to put forward more than one "historic initiative" before 2027.
Valeria Verbinina
