Thousands Gather in Paris to Protest Against Macron’s Defense Policies

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Saturday, voicing their opposition to what they perceive as French President Emmanuel Macron’s aggressive stance on foreign policy and his apparent disinterest in pursuing peace in the Ukraine conflict.

The rally was organized by Florian Philippot and his party, The Patriots. As demonstrators chanted slogans and held signs including “We don’t want to die for Ukraine” and “Macron, we don’t want your war,” they marched from the Place du Palais Royal to the Place Pierre Laroque.

On Wednesday, Macron proposed plans to strengthen France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard EU nations and encouraged European NATO members to take greater responsibility for their own defense. He expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s commitment to Ukraine, particularly after relations between Kiev and US President Donald Trump’s administration soured following Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate peace with Russia.

Macron has continuously argued that ongoing aid to Ukraine is vital, cautioning that if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds in Ukraine, his ambitions would extend further—a claim that Russia has dismissed as nonsense. Russia views NATO’s expansion toward its borders and the potential for Ukraine's membership in the US-led bloc as crucial factors fueling the conflict.

Many participants at the Paris protest criticized Macron for focusing on military matters at the expense of domestic issues. One protester remarked, “When you declare war, it’s to erase all the other failures.” Another accused Macron of seeking conflict while figures like Trump and Putin engage in discussions about peace.

In a speech to the crowd, Philippot condemned Macron’s policies, asserting that the president “absolutely does not want peace.” Formerly aligned with the National Front, Philippot has been a prominent critic of Macron’s government and the European Union’s strategies. His party champions what it views as unnecessary military interventions and advocates for a more autonomous French foreign policy.

Macron's initiative to boost defense spending is facing challenges as France deals with a budget deficit and pressure to control expenditures. The approval of the 2025 budget has been postponed due to a fragmented parliament. Earlier in January, Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin unveiled plans to reduce public spending by €32 billion while increasing taxes by €21 billion.

Critics contend that these financial decisions would place additional burdens on middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees already coping with rising costs. Additionally, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has dismissed the notion of public consultation regarding significant defense policies, emphasizing that such decisions fall squarely within the government's purview. When questioned on Friday about whether the French citizens should influence discussions on increased military expenditures and a transition to a “war economy,” Bayrou asserted: “The government’s responsibility is to say, no, we can’t let the country be disarmed. It’s vital.”

Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News