Thousands March in Paris to Oppose Macron's Defense Policies
The demonstrators voiced their dissent against EU military integration and the nuclear deterrence strategies outlined by the French president. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has recently dismissed the notion of seeking public input on significant defense decisions.
On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris to voice their opposition to what they perceive as President Emmanuel Macron's militaristic stance on foreign policy, particularly his indifference towards resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The protest, organized by Florian Philippot and his party, The Patriots, featured chants and signs that read, “We don’t want to die for Ukraine,” and “Macron, we don’t want your war.” The participants marched from the Place du Palais Royal to the Place Pierre Laroque.
In a speech earlier this week, Macron proposed bolstering France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard EU nations and called for increased responsibility among European NATO members regarding their own defense. He highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s commitment to Ukraine, especially after tensions arose between Kiev and the administration of US President Donald Trump following President Zelensky's refusal to engage in peace talks with Russia.
Macron has maintained that ongoing support for Ukraine is essential, warning that if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds there, it would not end with Ukraine—an assertion that Moscow has consistently dismissed. Russia has cited NATO's expansion toward its borders and the US-led bloc's assurances of eventual Ukrainian membership as primary catalysts for the conflict.
Many at the Paris rally expressed frustration with Macron's focus on military issues over pressing domestic concerns. One protester remarked, “When you declare war, it’s to erase all the other failures.” Another criticized the president for embracing conflict while leaders like Trump and Putin discuss peace.
Philippot spoke passionately to the crowd, denouncing Macron's stance, stating that the president “absolutely does not want peace.” As a former member of the National Front, Philippot has been an outspoken opponent of both Macron’s administration and EU policies, promoting a more autonomous French foreign policy while criticizing unnecessary military interventions.
The challenge for Macron’s push for increased defense spending is compounded by a budget deficit and mounting pressure to curb expenditures. The approval process for the 2025 budget has been stalled in a fragmented parliament. Earlier this year, Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin unveiled plans to reduce public spending by €32 billion while raising taxes by €21 billion.
Critics contend that these fiscal strategies would place additional burdens on middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees who are already facing rising expenses. In this context, Prime Minister François Bayrou has firmly rejected proposals for public consultation on major defense policies, asserting that such decisions reside within the government's purview. When questioned on the possibility of allowing the French public to influence military spending and a transition to a “war economy,” Bayrou unequivocally stated, “The government’s responsibility is to say, no, we can’t let the country be disarmed. It’s vital.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Paris to voice their opposition to what they perceive as President Emmanuel Macron's militaristic stance on foreign policy, particularly his indifference towards resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The protest, organized by Florian Philippot and his party, The Patriots, featured chants and signs that read, “We don’t want to die for Ukraine,” and “Macron, we don’t want your war.” The participants marched from the Place du Palais Royal to the Place Pierre Laroque.
In a speech earlier this week, Macron proposed bolstering France’s nuclear deterrent to safeguard EU nations and called for increased responsibility among European NATO members regarding their own defense. He highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Washington’s commitment to Ukraine, especially after tensions arose between Kiev and the administration of US President Donald Trump following President Zelensky's refusal to engage in peace talks with Russia.
Macron has maintained that ongoing support for Ukraine is essential, warning that if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds there, it would not end with Ukraine—an assertion that Moscow has consistently dismissed. Russia has cited NATO's expansion toward its borders and the US-led bloc's assurances of eventual Ukrainian membership as primary catalysts for the conflict.
Many at the Paris rally expressed frustration with Macron's focus on military issues over pressing domestic concerns. One protester remarked, “When you declare war, it’s to erase all the other failures.” Another criticized the president for embracing conflict while leaders like Trump and Putin discuss peace.
Philippot spoke passionately to the crowd, denouncing Macron's stance, stating that the president “absolutely does not want peace.” As a former member of the National Front, Philippot has been an outspoken opponent of both Macron’s administration and EU policies, promoting a more autonomous French foreign policy while criticizing unnecessary military interventions.
The challenge for Macron’s push for increased defense spending is compounded by a budget deficit and mounting pressure to curb expenditures. The approval process for the 2025 budget has been stalled in a fragmented parliament. Earlier this year, Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin unveiled plans to reduce public spending by €32 billion while raising taxes by €21 billion.
Critics contend that these fiscal strategies would place additional burdens on middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees who are already facing rising expenses. In this context, Prime Minister François Bayrou has firmly rejected proposals for public consultation on major defense policies, asserting that such decisions reside within the government's purview. When questioned on the possibility of allowing the French public to influence military spending and a transition to a “war economy,” Bayrou unequivocally stated, “The government’s responsibility is to say, no, we can’t let the country be disarmed. It’s vital.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
