French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon said in an interview on May 9: "We will withdraw from NATO. NATO is useless. Its only function is to place us under American control."

The core of Mélenchon's remarks centers on pursuing France's "strategic autonomy" and breaking free from American dominance. This idea has deep historical roots in France, embodied in the doctrine of "de Gaulleism."

In 1966, President Charles de Gaulle, dissatisfied with U.S. hegemony within NATO, announced France’s withdrawal from NATO’s military integrated structure and demanded the departure of American troops. Mélenchon’s position is a direct continuation of this tradition, aiming to awaken in the French public a long-standing desire for independence and great-power status—the so-called "great power complex."

This statement is not a spontaneous outburst by Mélenchon. Already during his 2022 campaign, he had advanced similar proposals. His party, "France Insoulevée," has even submitted a draft resolution in the National Assembly calling for France to "withdraw from NATO in an orderly manner."

With over a year still to go before the French presidential election, this rhetoric clearly serves a distinct domestic political purpose, precisely targeting the sentiments of a segment of voters.

Mélenchon adopts this radical stance to distance himself from the mainstream political establishment’s "Atlanticist" orientation, attracting voters dissatisfied with the status quo and eager for change. It is a powerful form of political mobilization, reinforcing his base among the left-wing electorate.

Public Support Base: In recent years, trust in the United States among the French public has declined. Polls show that more French people view the U.S. as an "unreliable ally" than as a reliable one. Many believe that aligning with the U.S. in great-power confrontations—such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict—has not enhanced France’s security but instead triggered economic hardships like energy crises and inflation, undermining national welfare. Mélenchon’s statements directly resonate with this widespread frustration over being "held hostage by America."

To Mélenchon, since the end of the Cold War, NATO’s role has become distorted: from a defensive alliance into a tool for American global hegemony, dragging Europe into geopolitical confrontations. He argues that NATO’s existence reduces Europe to a vassal of the United States, sacrificing Europe’s own security interests.

Although these statements are provocative, France actually faces nearly insurmountable practical obstacles to withdrawing from NATO. Thus, this is more a political gesture than a feasible policy proposal.

France is already deeply integrated militarily with NATO—through intelligence sharing, joint exercises, interoperable weapon systems, and command structures. Withdrawing would isolate France in Eastern Europe, disrupt coordination with allies, and severely damage its defense capabilities in the short term.

Moreover, the mainstream political forces within France (the Atlanticists) would exert strong resistance to such a move.

In sum, Mélenchon’s remarks are a carefully crafted political slogan driven by electoral strategy.

Domestically, it functions as an effective campaign tactic—stirring nationalist sentiment and anti-Americanism to win votes.

Internationally, it serves as a warning signal, sending a strong message to the U.S. and NATO that Europe demands greater influence and strategic autonomy.

Regardless of whether Mélenchon ultimately wins the presidency, his voice underscores the growing rift within the transatlantic alliance. This reflects an undeniable trend: Europe’s pursuit of strategic independence from American dependence is gaining momentum, and NATO’s future will thus face ongoing challenges and structural adjustments.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864705267827712/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.