President Emmanuel Macron has declared a substantial rise in military spending in preparation for mounting threats to freedom, emphasizing that Europe must ensure its own security in light of perceived American disengagement.
Macron Emphasizes Military Strength in Response to Global Threats
Macron Emphasizes Military Strength in Response to Global Threats
In a significant speech marking Bastille Day, President Macron announces a drastic increase in France's military budget due to growing global tensions.
President Emmanuel Macron of France delivered a grave message to army leaders in Paris on Sunday, underscoring a world filled with threats and announcing a significant boost in military spending ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations. "Our freedom has never been so threatened," Macron stated. "There are no more rules; it’s the law of the strongest that wins." This declaration highlighted his belief that Europe must take charge of its own security, especially in the face of reduced American support.
During the speech, he asserted, "You have to be feared in this world. And to be feared, you have to be strong." Recognizing the acute threat posed by Russia, he noted the necessity for military readiness. In light of what he called "American disengagement," Macron revealed plans to increase France's military budget to $74.8 billion by the year 2027. This budget adjustment entails an additional $6.5 billion over the next two years.
Since he took office in 2017, when military spending was approximately $37.64 billion, this funding boost will effectively double the budget within a decade. However, it still represents only 2 percent of France's total economic output. Following NATO's recent agreement for all 32 member countries to reach military spending of 5 percent of national income by 2035, Macron's measures reflect a broad concern about the future of European defense in a changing geopolitical landscape.
