Poll: Nearly 60% of French Citizens Support Nuclear Defense for European Allies

Nearly 60% of French citizens expressed support for using the country’s nuclear weapons to protect European allies,

According to an Elabe Institute poll released on March 12, commissioned by BFMTV, the survey aligns with French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent proposal to establish a European “nuclear umbrella” as a deterrent against Russia.

The poll found that 59% of respondents agreed that “it is in France’s interest to protect other European countries, including with nuclear weapons.”

Support was highest among left-wing voters (76%), Macron’s supporters (84%), and right-wing voters (65%), but significantly lower among far-right voters (39%).

Concerns over a broader conflict were also reflected in the survey, with 77% of respondents fearing that Russia’s war against Ukraine could expand to other countries and 23% believing France itself could be drawn into the conflict.

While 56% viewed France as a major military power and 60% believed it could assist European nations in the event of an attack, only 48% were confident in France’s ability to defend itself against a Russian assault.

The poll follows Macron’s statement on the potential role of France’s nuclear forces in defending European allies independently of the United States.

France’s nuclear deterrence strategy, or “dissuasion nucléaire,” is based on national sovereignty.

The country possesses approximately 290 nuclear warheads, ranking as the world’s fourth-largest nuclear power after Russia, the United States, and China. Its nuclear capabilities include both sea-based and air-based components.

Earlier, Polish President Andrzej Duda called for the United States to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland, arguing it is necessary to deter Russia.

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