Open figure viewer
Significance
France is the only EU country to possess nuclear weapons, while several others host US nuclear weapons under a NATO nuclear-sharing scheme. Macron has not provided detail regarding how France could use its weapons to defend allies, but his proposal was a profound shift from his predecessors.
Impacts
France’s allies would be even more sceptical of relying on French nuclear weapons should Marine Le Pen replace Macron in 2027.
Political support for nuclear weapons will increase in Europe, though most of those on the left will remain opposed.
France will likely seek to coordinate its nuclear policies with the United Kingdom, the only other European power with a nuclear arsenal.
Keywords:
France,
EUR,
EU,
NATO,
United States,
Germany,
Italy,
Netherlands,
Russia,
Turkey,
United Kingdom,
international relations,
politics,
foreign policy,
government,
military,
nuclear weapons,
security,
election,
finance,
infrastructure,
treaty,
war,
Aerospace & defence
© Oxford Analytica 2024. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2024
You do not currently have access to this content.
