President Macron announces expansion of nuclear arsenal and "advanced deterrence"

President Emmanuel Macron presented a new vision of continental security based on the belief that France's vital interests now have a pan-European dimension. In a speech delivered at the Île Longue base, he announced the decision to increase the number of nuclear warheads, marking a departure from the previous policy of maintaining the arsenal at a minimum sufficient level. France, as the only European Union country possessing nuclear weapons, aims to build strategic sovereignty in the face of uncertain security guarantees from the United States. The new concept has been enthusiastically received by German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, with media calling it the beginning of a new nuclear alliance. The French nuclear program was initiated by Gen. Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s to ensure Paris' full independence from Washington and Moscow's influence as part of the so-called Force de Frappe.In Poland, this proposal has become a source of conflict at the highest levels of power. While Prime Minister Donald Tusk's cabinet is conducting consultations regarding participation in the program, President Karol Nawrocki's circle claims that the head of state—who is the supreme commander of the armed forces—was not informed about these talks. Marcin Przydacz publicly criticized the government's lack of communication on such a crucial issue as nuclear umbrella. Meanwhile, Denmark is considering adapting its F-35 fighter jets for deterrence-related tasks, and Belgium and the Netherlands have officially declared their willingness to participate in the new security architecture. However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is resisting, rejecting the invitation to the program and emphasizing the priority role of NATO structures. 8 — countries have expressed willingness to join Macron's planThe French opposition, particularly from far-right and far-left groups, views the president's plans with considerable skepticism. Marine Le Pen "took note" of the new doctrine, but left-wing circles around Jean-Luc Mélenchon express concern about high costs and the risk of losing national sovereignty over nuclear weapons. Experts indicate that this change could in practice mean incorporating liaison officers from allied countries into French planning structures and regular visits by allies to nuclear bases. Macron emphasized that France must inspire "fear" in potential aggressors, which is interpreted as a clear signal toward Russia. Moscow described these actions as a provocation destabilizing Europe, further fueling the debate about the limits of military integration within the European Union. „La France doit redevenir une puissance qui soit crainte pour garantir la paix sur notre continent.” (France must once again become a power that is feared to guarantee peace on our continent.) — Emmanuel Macron