Macron announces military support for Saudi oil hub, Mélenchon calls for parliamentary vote
President Emmanuel Macron said France will send troops and defence systems to protect the Yanbu oil terminal in Saudi Arabia, and left-wing candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon demanded a parliamentary vote under article 35.
In a prime-one outlet's interview, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will dispatch military assets—personnel, radar installations and defensive systems—to the Yanbu terminal in Saudi Arabia, a strategic hub for oil exports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the deployment aims to secure fuel supplies and prevent shortages of diesel, gas and fuel oil in France through the end of the year, while acknowledging possible risks if the regional crisis worsens in early 2027.
Left-wing presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon immediately called for a parliamentary vote on the operation, invoking article 35 of the French Constitution to ensure legislative oversight. The statement was made as the campaign for the 2027 presidential election gains momentum, with other candidates like Gabriel Attal, Clémence Guetté and Sébastien Chenu also featuring in morning-show interviews. The move highlights France’s willingness to intervene in Middle-East security matters amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Why it matters
France's military involvement in Saudi Arabia could reshape regional security and spark domestic debate over executive power.
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