French defence policy lacks strategic prioritisation

Significance

The president's proposal to send troops to Ukraine has triggered debate on France's military readiness. Within Europe, it is a leading military power but chronic resource limitations and competing strategic priorities have created tensions, which are now coming to the surface.

Impacts

• French efforts to introduce EU joint borrowing to bolster defence spending are likely to fail.
• German coalition tensions and the proximity of key elections threaten to undermine Paris-Berlin cooperation further.
• Electoral gains for parties opposed to military support for Ukraine risks disrupting European governments’ efforts to support Ukraine.