For the French, foreign policy is first and foremost defense, far ahead of the climate.

The study, conducted by Toluna Harris Interactive for the consulting firm MGH Partners, was carried out from May 5 to 11, 2026 with a sample of 1,240 people representative of the French population.

“Spontaneously, when the French think about France’s foreign policy, they mainly mention the role of diplomacy, with the perception of an international context tense with wars and conflicts, which raises concerns and various criticisms,” summarize the authors of the survey.

The previous study had been conducted in December 2021 in the perspective of the 2022 presidential election. Since then, conflicts have erupted around the world: war in Ukraine in February 2022, then the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and war in Lebanon since the attacks of October 7, 2023. And more recently in the spring, an American-Israeli offensive against Iran with direct effects on the daily lives of the French due to rising oil prices.

In total, 51% of the French respondents believe that the top priority is the defense of the security of French people against foreign powers, compared to 32% in December 2021. And they are now only 22% (-13 percentage points) who see climate regulation as a priority.

Promoting France’s economic interests is the second priority for 46% of French respondents (+3 points). The election of Republican American President Donald Trump, openly hostile to Europeans, has also had a significant impact on the perception of the French of France’s allied countries.

United States: a threat to a third of the French

“While the United States were largely perceived as an ally in 2021, only a third of the French still consider them as such today,” emphasize the pollsters. They are now only 32% to consider them as allies, down from 53% in 2021. And 34% even believe they represent a threat to France.

Conversely, the United Kingdom and Ukraine – supported by France against Russia – are now more identified as allies, as are the Gulf countries (excluding Iran) and Morocco, according to the study. “In five years, French opinion has made a clear turn towards security,” declared Hamza Hraoui, co-founder of MGH Partners, to AFP.

He also notes that “the French are now fully aware of world affairs”: “Geopolitics is now part of their daily lives, even in their plates, with inflation directly linked to open conflicts.”

He further observes “a convergence between public opinion and the fundamental principles that structure French diplomacy,” particularly on the need for European sovereignty in defense matters. Nearly 6 out of 10 French people thus believe that to strengthen its influence in the world, France should spend more on its defense.

Moreover, over half of the French (47%) believe that, to prevent conflicts, “the most effective method is to enforce international law, far ahead of asserting power without considering this framework” (17%).

President Emmanuel Macron continues to call for respect for international law and constantly calls for de-escalation, especially in the Middle East.

This barometer is conducted every 5 years leading up to presidential elections to gauge public opinion on international issues.

With AFP.