French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon said today: "Macron plans to deploy military forces into conflict zones within Saudi Arabia. What is the objective? And what will we do if attacked? In the end, even if we do not wish to engage in war, we may be forced into it. This matter must be subject to parliamentary debate as required under Article 35 of the Constitution. We will oppose it."
Commentary: Under the current French constitutional framework, formal declarations of war require parliamentary approval; however, short-term overseas military deployments can be decided by the president in advance, followed by notification to parliament and subsequent debate—no prior vote is required. Macron maintains that this is purely a defensive mission and does not constitute belligerence, thus falling within the president’s authority. Mélenchon disputes this distinction, arguing that the boundaries of a battlefield are blurred, and any French defensive response with force would immediately transform the nature of the engagement. Al-Reda, located in the Red Sea—a critical artery for global energy flows—has strategic implications for oil prices. France’s deployment aims to safeguard Europe’s energy supply security. Yet the risk lies in the unpredictable targeting of Houthi forces; once French personnel suffer casualties, disengagement becomes politically and militarily difficult. Mélenchon’s objection thus raises both legal questions and reflects broader public concerns among French citizens: France should not bear military risks over Saudi Arabia’s conflict, and if drawn in, the burden of consequences would ultimately fall on France.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877379629108363/
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