If Marine Le Pen wins France’s presidency, the European External Action Service faces an existential crisis.
The far-right leader plans to strip the EU’s diplomatic arm of its powers and hand foreign policy back to national capitals, POLITICO reported based on conversations with National Rally officials.
Le Pen told reporters in Brussels that “France will no longer accept that the Commission exercises diplomatic competences, even less military or intelligence competences.”
Paris Backed EEAS Since 2011
The threat marks a reversal for France, which has been the most steadfast backer of the European External Action Service since its launch in 2011. Paris stood up for the institution and its leader, Kaja Kallas, when both faced criticism earlier this year.
A National Rally lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak frankly, blasted the service as a “waste of money” and a source of jobs for “friends of friends.”
Kallas Defenders Counter Le Pen
National Rally MEP Jean-Paul Garraud criticized Kallas for using “very warrior-like language on Ukraine.” Kallas’ backers say her positions reflect those of the EU foreign ministers she represents.
An EEAS official said: “Across Europe, the far right is against the very idea of European cooperation. EU diplomacy defends European interests, including those of France.”
Irish Renew MEP Barry Andrews warned: “Without the collective power of Europe, France has no chance going up against the U.S. or China alone.”
Budget Fight Looms in April
French voters head to the polls in April. By then, EU leaders will most likely have reached an agreement on the bloc’s long-term budget and secured funding for the service for another seven years.
Le Pen’s party is threatening to cut France’s contribution to the EU budget unless she obtains concessions from Brussels. Her allies expect support from nationalist parties in Spain, Italy and Czechia.
The EEAS operates on an annual budget of about €1 billion.
Questions on the EEAS Fight
What is the European External Action Service?
The EEAS is the EU’s diplomatic service, launched in 2011. It operates on an annual budget of about €1 billion and maintains delegations around the world to represent the bloc’s foreign policy.
Can France shut down the EEAS on its own?
No, France cannot unilaterally pull the plug on the service. By April, EU leaders will most likely have locked in funding for another seven years through the bloc’s long-term budget deal.
How is Le Pen’s approach different from Meloni’s?
Giorgia Meloni has taken a pragmatic Euroskeptic approach to Europe. Le Pen’s stance on EU diplomacy suggests she will take a far harsher line with Brussels than the Italian prime minister.