France’s defence spending surge threatened by high national debt

France’s high national debt poses a significant risk to its defense ambitions, as President Emmanuel Macron aims to increase military spending to 3-3.5% of GDP by 2030, doubling the budget to €100bn. However, lawmakers question the feasibility of this plan given the government’s struggle to address its fiscal deficits, which are among the highest in Europe, alongside a debt-to-GDP ratio of 113%. Experts suggest a radical approach, including spending cuts and economic reforms, is essential, while critics warn that France’s military strategy may leave it ill-equipped for prolonged conflicts due to a shrinking force size despite increased spending.

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