French role in EU nuclear defence will be limited

Significance France is the only EU country to possess nuclear weapons, while several others host US nuclear weapons under a NATO nuclear-sharing scheme. Macron has not provided detail regarding how France could use its weapons to defend allies, but his proposal was a profound shift from his predecessors. Impacts France’s allies would be even more sceptical of relying on French nuclear weapons should Marine Le Pen replace Macron in 2027. Political support for nuclear weapons will increase in Europe, though most of those on the left will remain opposed. France will likely seek to coordinate its nuclear policies with the United Kingdom, the only other European power with a nuclear arsenal.