French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech marked by particular seriousness in his traditional address to the armed forces on Sunday, July 13, held as every year in the gardens of the Hôtel de Brienne in Paris on the eve of Bastille Day. The address was largely devoted to the worsening geopolitical situation and, in announcements long awaited by the country's military institution, confirmed a new increase for the defense budget.

"Never since 1945 has freedom been under such a threat," the president declared twice before an audience of senior officers and Ministry of the Armed Forces officials. "We are plunging back into years that make history," he added. "Our Europe is now on the verge of a vast arc of crises (...) We Europeans now have to ensure our security on our own." But Macron also warned, "to be free in this world, you must be feared, and to be feared, you must be powerful."

The lengthy prelude led the president to the heart of his message: further expanding the defense budget despite significant pressure on public finances. "In these predatory times, we cannot afford to stand still. We have an advantage for now, but if we do not pick up the pace, we will be overtaken tomorrow," he explained, referring to the major investments made in the armed forces since he came to power in 2017, after years of budget cuts. The military budget now stands at €50.5 billion, compared to €32 billion in 2017.

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