French Prime Minister François Bayrou warned on Monday that if France and Europe do not oppose US President-elect Donald Trump’s ideas before his inauguration, they would be dominated, crushed, and excluded.
“If we do nothing, then our fate will be simple: we will be dominated, we will be crushed, we will be marginalised. It is up to us, the French and Europeans, as it is impossible without Europe,” he added.
Bayrou added that Trump’s inauguration pushes Europe to face its duties. He also mentioned “the power of China” as a crucial aspect in world geopolitics.
Prior to Trump’s second-term win, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the necessity of Europe gaining “strategic autonomy” by lessening its reliance on the United States, notably in defence.
Bayrou, a senior centrist known for aspiring to the premiership, was appointed prime minister by Macron late last year to overcome a half-year political crisis.
He has since taken an increasingly muscular position on both international and domestic policies.
Trump is set to be sworn in for a historic second term later on Monday, vowing a new “golden age” for the United States as the globe prepares for the return of his unpredictable leadership.
The most notable French political personalities invited to the inauguration are Éric Zemmour, leader of the far-right Reconquête! (Reconquest!) party, who received 7% of the vote in the 2022 presidential elections, and his partner, Sarah Knafo, a member of the European Parliament.
