Through diplomatic skill and strategy, French President Macron is making a recovery after a series of domestic and international setbacks. He now has a unique opportunity to expand Europe’s margins of maneuver on the global stage.
EU, French, and British votes will impact NATO’s agendas and policies—but only over time.
With a snap legislative election approaching, French politics is in turmoil. The vote’s outcome will impact the nation’s role in Europe, NATO, and transatlantic relations.
A stronger far-right presence in the European Parliament could put a brake on some EU policies. But the main test to the bloc’s stability and global role may come from the rise of nationalist politics in France and Germany.
Deploying troops to Ukraine, even for non-combat duties, entails risks most European countries are currently unwilling to take. The priority right now must be ramping up aid to Kyiv.
Ahead of the European elections, much commentary has focused on how the far right's success could undermine the EU's fundamental values. But Europe's democratic challenge goes beyond containing the far right.
Amid Russia’s aggression and uncertainty around U.S. leadership, Macron is right to call for Europe’s self-reliance in defense. To achieve it, France needs to lead by example and get all allies on board.
