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Macron's foreign agenda will rest on domestic reform

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Subject

France’s foreign policy.

Significance

Following several speeches by President Emmanuel Macron on France’s international ambitions and priorities, a new strategic review was published on October 11, updating the 2013 White Book on defence and security. Nonetheless, many questions remain around the implications of Macron’s new foreign policy agenda.

Impacts

  • Strategic bilateral relationships will be marked by toughness and pragmatism, as is the case in Macron’s personal relations with Trump.
  • France’s position in the EU -- ambitious but often lonely -- and the Brexit negotiations will be a priority for the government.
  • The 2019-24 military procurement programming law will allocate financial means and indicate which of Macron’s ambitions may be realistic.
  • The modernisation of France's nuclear forces will put additional pressure on the defence budget.

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