The departure of former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron’s eventual exit from the French presidency could threaten the future of the so-called «coalition of the willing», according to commentators at The Telegraph.
The newspaper argued that Starmer’s resignation, combined with Macron’s inability to stand in next year’s presidential election, could create a leadership vacuum in Europe.
Among the figures seen as possible contenders for greater influence in French politics are National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who heads La France Insoumise. The Telegraph noted that both politicians had supported reducing Paris’s role in NATO and lifting sanctions against Russia.
British politicians are already examining how a change of power in France could affect joint projects between the two countries. Particular attention is being paid to intelligence sharing and the future of the «coalition of the willing». One Western official told the newspaper that such a shift could pose a serious challenge for NATO.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is being discussed as a possible new political leader for Europe. His position, however, is also described as unstable. According to the report, Merz is dealing with domestic political difficulties and growing divisions within his own party.
Western media had previously reported that fewer members of the coalition were prepared to continue supporting Ukraine. Some European leaders remain willing to back one another, but their confidence is beginning to weaken.