On the eve of the July 14 parade, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his confidence in the military gathered in the gardens of the Hôtel de Brienne. The president also set the course for the coming months for the armed forces and praised the work of Minister Sébastien Lecornu, a minister on probation while a new government is expected in the coming days. In Africa, a place for a military force ” light “, a change of direction well understood by partner countries, assures Emmanuel Macron.
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As a preamble and as he does every time he addresses the military, the president Emmanuel Macronthe serious tone brings them a strong satisfaction: “ The army “, he said, ” are the foundation of the Nation ” and to add to the address of the officers and non-commissioned officers present: “ I count on you “.
The president then set the course: that of the rise in power of the French armies supported by a military programming law which by 2030 will allow military budgets to be doubled. That of a war industry one of the aims of which is to provide unfailing support to theUkraine.
“ The acceleration of time and the coming together of threats indeed require new adjustments. This is why I ask you to continue to draw the consequences of the war as it will be tomorrow and not as we imagined it yesterday, and to prepare an adjustment of our military programming for 2025. “, declared the head of state.
No “reset”
“ This adjustment is necessary “, he insisted without giving details, while new priorities have emerged in recent years in the wake of the war in Ukraine, such as armed drones, which have become essential on the battlefield. But ” I am talking about adjustment and not about overhauling “, stressed the president, assuring that “ the ambitions and foundations are invariable for the defense of our country “.
Once again, Emmanuel Macron hammered home that the Russia should not win this war, while recalling that if Moscow is an adversary, we are not at war against Russia.
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A ceasefire needed in Gaza, a change of direction on the African continent
Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the participation of the armed forces in the security arrangements for the Olympic Games which will begin on July 26 in Paris. Through your commitment to the success of the Games, sometimes through your own athletes, you will play your full part in this season of unity and influence of the Nation. “, he said happily. Some 18,000 soldiers are to participate in security for the Olympic Games (July 26-August 11), in support of the 45,000 internal security forces, police and gendarmerie.
In the Levant, the head of state insists on a ceasefire necessary for Gazaand he praised the delicate mission of the 700 French soldiers engaged in Lebanon within UNIFIL, the United Nations force. A force, he specifies, which must not be hindered.
In Africa finally, a light military device is on the way. A change of direction well understood by the partner countries, assures Emmanuel Macron, pleading to build a humble and long-term partnership on the continent from now on. You are also involved in Africa where the system is evolving. This was essential “, underlines Emmanuel Macron. “ We have ties to this continent, interests and issues that concern us. In this regard, I welcome the work accomplished and the establishment of light and adaptable systems and new partnerships developed together. The action undertaken is understood. African heads of state tell me so and it is promising. »
Emmanuel Macron reiterated his confidence in his chief of staff, General Thierry Burkhard, who despite the age limit, remains at his side for another year, and he finally warmly thanked his Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, whose continued leadership of this ministry is more uncertain than ever.
Emmanuel Macron’s subliminal messages
This speech is a traditional exercise every eve of July 14 for Emmanuel Macron, but this year, the political situation was exceptional, notes Valerie Gashead of RFI’s political service. By speaking to the armies, more than usual, the head of state was therefore speaking to the French people. We must celebrate the values that our children, like us, will carry: the unity of the Nation, its lucidity, its fraternity, its solidity. “, declared Emmanuel Macron.
Unity while the country is divided, while political forces cannot agree to form a government… Less emphasis than usual, a lot of gravity in the words and intonations of a president threatened with cohabitation who tried to reaffirm his preeminence on sovereign issues, by mentioning the army budget. The rapprochement of threats indeed requires new adjustments. This is why I ask you to prepare an adjustment of our military programming for 2025. I am talking about adjustment and not a complete overhaul. The ambitions and foundations are invariable for the defense of our country. “, he added.
A promise or a hope, while instability threatens France. Behind Emmanuel Macron, stood Gabriel Attal and Sébastien Lecornu, the resigning Prime Minister and the Minister of the Armed Forces who will participate in their last July 14 together.