Emmanuel Macron says the increase will be € 6.5 billion in defense spending over the next 2 years
The French president, announced an increase of 6.5 billion euros (about $ 42.2 billion) in military spending for the next 2 years. The announcement was made during the traditional presidential speech to the Armed Forces on the eve of the Bastille National holiday in Paris. The measure aims to face threats such as Russia, nuclear proliferation, terrorism and cyber attacks.
France intends to reach an annual defense budget of 64 billion euros (about R $ 416 billion) by 2027, the last year of Macron’s 2nd term. This amount represents twice the 32 billion euros (about R $ 208.2 billion) expenses annually at the time he assumed the presidency in 2017.
“Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously”, Said Macron, quoted by the agency AP (Associated Press). The French president highlighted the need to protect Europe and support Ukraine in his war against the Russian invasion.
Macron also stated that France is experimenting with “a return to the nuclear threat and the proliferation of great conflicts”The decision occurs in a context of high geopolitical tensions, mainly due to war in Ukraine.
The French president cited the uncertainty produced by the United States as another risk factor for Europe.
“To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful, ” declared Macron in his speech.
Macron ordered the main military and defense of France to begin a “strategic dialogueWith European partners on the role that French nuclear arsenal could play in the protection of Europe. France and the United Kingdom.
