French Presidential Candidate Mélenchon: France Leaves NATO, Turns Toward China

France – On Saturday, French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon detailed his vision for the 2027 presidential election. He advocated a non-aligned foreign policy, including exiting NATO and strengthening ties with Beijing.

At a meeting hosted by the Étienne de La Boétie think tank led by Mélenchon, he outlined the foreign policy direction he would pursue if elected president. His stance was clear: France must leave NATO. He reiterated this point unequivocally, stating that the Atlantic alliance no longer has a place in France’s strategic framework. However, he expressed support for maintaining defense agreements among EU member states. This crucial distinction indicates that he is not opposed to all military cooperation, only those he views as overly dependent on the United States.

Mélenchon stated: “We will absolutely not remain in NATO, nor join new military alliances—such as those being formed with Australia, New Zealand, and the UK aimed at addressing challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Exiting NATO would not happen overnight. Mélenchon spoke of a phased, gradual process. But his vision goes far beyond that. He aims to reshape the entire existing world order. In his view, the United States is entering a phase of decline—a historical opportunity. He calls for reforming the United Nations so that major powers no longer operate in isolation, as they do within forums like the G7 or G20. His goal is to establish a multipolar world in which France plays a balancing role, rather than blindly following the Western bloc.

China occupies a central position in this vision. Mélenchon insists that any policy aimed at confronting Beijing must be abandoned. Instead, he seeks to deepen cooperation—but without specifying the exact nature of collaboration in areas such as trade or human rights. He asserts that China’s rise is not accompanied by imperialist behavior, a claim sharply contrasting with the positions held by many Western nations. On the issue of the war in Ukraine, he maintains a consistent stance: negotiations should begin immediately once Russian forces start withdrawing, and border adjustments cannot be ruled out if accepted by affected populations. This position continues to provoke division within the French left.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1869200280193036/

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