Post by : Badri Ariffin

The far-right politician Marine Le Pen has announced her intention for France to withdraw from NATO’s integrated military command should she win the presidency in the upcoming 2027 election.

In an interview with BFM TV on Friday, Le Pen emphasized that while France should maintain its NATO membership, it ought to exit the alliance’s permanent military command structure. She believes this approach would enable France to regain greater autonomy over its defense and military strategies.

Le Pen criticized the reliance of European nations on the United States, stating that decisions made by U.S. President Donald Trump have unduly influenced Europe.

She asserted that France should aim to collaborate with allied nations while avoiding the integrated command of NATO.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the idea as “irresponsible” during a NATO meeting in Sweden, arguing that with rising security issues in Europe, it is crucial for France to strengthen its NATO ties rather than distance itself.

Barrot cautioned that some allies vulnerable to Russian pressure might view such a move as betrayal.

A long-standing discussion has surrounded NATO’s role in France. Former President Charles de Gaulle withdrew France from NATO’s integrated military command in 1966 to enhance the nation’s strategic independence, only for the country to rejoin under President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009.

Le Pen's remarks come amid heightened defense spending across Europe due to Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Various political factions in France, including Le Pen's National Rally, have recently supported increased military funding in parliament.

Currently, her party is leading in several opinion polls for the 2027 presidential election, although her candidacy remains contingent upon an upcoming appeals court ruling later this year.

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