Top contenders for the 2027 French presidential election outlined their foreign policy stances on Europe, Ukraine, and international relations at POLITICO’s Playbook Paris Live summit. Marine Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Gabriel Attal presented distinct visions, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine and France's role in international alliances.
Gabriel Attal, a centrist former prime minister, strongly advocated for continued support for Ukraine, framing it as an "investment for us." He supported seizing Russian assets for Kyiv's defense and did not rule out sending European planes to patrol Ukrainian skies. Le Pen, the far-right leader, stated that France could no longer afford financial assistance to Ukraine due to budgetary constraints, though she suggested continued military aid and training.
Both Le Pen and Mélenchon expressed concerns that supplying military equipment to Ukraine could draw France into direct conflict with Russia, a nuclear power. Mélenchon also called for a ban on Ukrainian deep strikes into Russian territory, arguing that such actions with French or Ukrainian weapons would make France a belligerent. Le Pen reiterated her intention to withdraw France from NATO's integrated command, but only after the war concludes.
Mélenchon voiced skepticism about Germany's plans to expand its military, citing historical tensions and suggesting economic motives related to its struggling auto industry. Le Pen criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accusing her of attempting to bypass democratic processes by fast-tracking negotiations on the EU's multi-year budget before upcoming elections in several member states.
Attal, aligned with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, championed a pro-European agenda, advocating for deeper economic integration and cooperation on environmental and tech regulations. He revisited the concept of a "United States of Europe" and a "power continent" capable of standing against China and the U.S., suggesting this could be achieved through a multi-speed Europe involving a smaller group of ambitious member states.
