Overview
- He will speak to the nation on Wednesday evening, opening the stretch that leads to the 2027 presidential election.
- He faces record unpopularity and an unusually fragmented National Assembly after a criticized dissolution and a year that saw three governments and two prime ministers.
- Key pledges from last year’s address, including a referendum and a large national consultation, were not carried out.
- Notable deliverables include a planned €6.7 billion increase in defense spending for 2026 and steps toward European defense, while the 2026 budget remains unsettled despite dropping pensions reform.
- TF1-LCI reports the speech will feature no major announcements and emphasize international issues and Europe’s security, as the EU has delayed the Mercosur signing by one month, a decision Macron welcomed.