Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament representing the left-wing party Place Publique, has been making waves in French media recently. In an interview with the political magazine Le Nouvel Obs on March 5, Glucksmann emphasized the urgent need for European powers to increase their defense spending. He highlighted this necessity in light of a reorientation of US policy priorities under former President Donald Trump.
At a rally on Sunday, Glucksmann made bold statements regarding the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of Franco-American friendship. He argued that the statue represents a commitment to fighting tyranny, stating, "The America of these heroes fought against tyrants, it did not flatter them. It was the enemy of fascism, not the friend of Putin. It helped the resistance and didn’t attack Zelensky."
Glucksmann criticized Trump's attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine and took issue with Trump's public disagreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He expressed concern about the direction of US foreign policy, suggesting that Europe may need to take on a greater role in global leadership if the US continues to shift its focus away from traditional alliances.
In his commentary, Glucksmann also reflected on the symbolic significance of the Statue of Liberty. He remarked, "It is precisely because I am petrified by Trumps (sic) betrayal that I said yesterday in a rally that we could symbolically take back the Statue of Liberty if your government despised everything it symbolizes in your eyes, ours, and those of the world."
Despite these strong words, Glucksmann expressed eternal gratitude to the American "heroes" who fought against the Nazis during World War II. He acknowledged the historical ties between France and the United States while urging for a reevaluation of defense strategies within Europe.
Looking ahead to the future, Glucksmann has announced plans to run for president in France's upcoming elections slated for early 2027. His recent comments signal a potential platform focused on strengthening European defense capabilities and reassessing relationships with global powers.
