NATO fears France’s exit from the Alliance after the 2027 presidential elections

NATO fears that after the 2027 French presidential election, the new head of state could withdraw the country from the Alliance’s integrated military command. Such a scenario could weaken NATO’s military coordination and call into question French participation in joint forces and operations.

This is reported by Politico .

Concerns within the alliance have grown as polls show that about half of French voters support candidates who are critical of NATO, including far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Le Pen advocates France’s withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command. Mélenchon has called for the country’s complete withdrawal from the Alliance.

“I’m afraid of this election. Losing France would be terrible,” said one NATO diplomat.

France is the EU’s only nuclear-armed state, and its withdrawal from the Alliance’s military structures could put into question French military participation in Romania and Estonia, as well as NATO’s access to French intelligence and military capabilities. These include Europe’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, CERES reconnaissance satellites, and significant naval capabilities.

Of particular concern is the French contingent in Romania, which numbers about 1,200 troops. France also participates in NATO nuclear cooperation and provides about 10% of the Alliance’s annual operating budget.

At the same time, a potential withdrawal from military command would also have consequences for France itself. The country would retain its place in NATO’s political structures, but would lose some of its influence over military planning and a number of high-ranking positions in the Alliance’s structures.

If France’s military presence in NATO is reduced, its role in European security could increase for Germany. Berlin will have to take on even more responsibility amid a possible reduction in the US presence in Europe.

Meanwhile, the outcome of the French presidential election remains uncertain. NATO admits that the winner could change his position after coming to power.

France has already had experience of withdrawing from NATO military structures. In 1966, President Charles de Gaulle withdrew the country from the Alliance’s military command, and in 2009, under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy, France returned to an integrated military structure.

Earlier, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into possible Russian interference in the upcoming presidential campaign in France . Law enforcement officers are investigating the spread of fake news about potential candidates Gabriel Attal, Edouard Philippe, and Raphael Glucksmann.

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