conflict in the Middle East, Russia… What the parties propose on foreign policy

Before the legislative elections, franceinfo takes stock of the main measures put forward in this campaign. When it comes to foreign policy, the parties have some disagreements over their international posture.

War in Ukraine, in the Middle East, European commitment or within NATO… It’s not always easy to see clearly, because in this blitzkrieg, the programs are often succinct. Traditionally, foreign policy falls within the “reserved domain” of the President of the Republic. It’s a little more complicated. But for the presidential party, this simplifies things: Together for the Republic is a continuation of Emmanuel Macron’s action.

On Ukraine

Like the president who appears to be Ukraine’s primary supporter, the presidential party promises kyiv planes, weapons and ammunition. “Blank promises”denounces the Republicans who want massive financial support for Ukraine, but excludes its membership in the European Union.

On the left, it was necessary to find common ground between the unwavering support defended by Raphaël Glucksmann and the refusal of the escalation displayed by the Insoumis. Ultimately, the New Popular Front supports the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people, the integrity of their borders and the delivery of necessary weapons.

This is also the case of Jordan Bardella who smoothes the speech of the historically pro-Kremlin RN and several of whose legislative candidates are supporters of Moscow. Jordan Bardella says he wants to maintain military support for Ukraine, but with a red line: no sending of long-range missiles that could strike Russian territory.

On the war in Gaza

The war between Israel and Hamas is the other major geopolitical subject. This is a thorny subject on the left. The rebels have campaigned in recent months on the denunciation of Israel to the point of being accused of anti-Semitism. The terms of the New Popular Front agreement were weighed. He condemns the terrorist massacres of Hamas, as well as the risk of genocide in Gaza and intends to recognize the State of Palestine.

Unlike the Macronists and the Republicans who do not want recognition of Palestine, but support the two-state solution. As for the National Rally, it has supported Israel since the October 7 attack. A pro-Israeli turn for the far-right partyfar from the assumed anti-Semitism of Jean-Marie Le Pen.

On the EU and NATO

What happens to France’s major commitments in the European Union in the programs? There is no longer any question of getting out of it on the RN side, Frexit is a distant memory. Make way for an à la carte Europe where everyone could cooperate or not depending on the subject. For its part, the New Popular Front calls for the end of free trade treaties, a reform of the common agricultural policy and the taxation of the richest to increase the resources of the European Union.

As for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the presidential party claims to want to remain within this alliance, contrary to “some opposition”, because NATO guarantees the sovereignty of France. The subject of leaving the transatlantic organization is however not raised on the left because it is too divisive, and it is no longer discussed on the RN side, this is not the time in the middle of the war in Ukraine.

Finally, the left claims to want to promote diplomacy in the service of peace and the promotion of global common goods. When the presidential party intends to double the army budget by 2030 and the Republicans intend to devote 3% of GDP to Defense.