An anti-military demonstration brought together approximately 850 people on Thursday in Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique, to protest the proposed future French nuclear aircraft carrier and increased military spending. Participants marched behind slogans such as "No money for aircraft carriers" and "Money for hospitals, not for guns."
The rally, organised by several pacifist groups, trade unions and radical left-wing organisations, was particularly aimed at the new generation aircraft carrier (PA-NG) programme, intended to replace the Charles-de-Gaulle by 2038. The shipyard is to be built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire at an estimated cost of more than 10 billion euros.
A challenge to French rearmament
Opponents denounce a "war economy" which they say is being pursued at the expense of public services and social spending. Several anti-militarist organizations also criticize the government for accelerating rearmament in the current international context and dispute the promised economic benefits associated with the future aircraft carrier.
This mobilization is part of a series of actions organized in recent months in western France against the PA-NG program and, more broadly, against the increase in French military budgets. In Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, several gatherings had already taken place in March and April around this major industrial and strategic project for the French Navy.
Community
1 comment
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
It is truly striking to see such a massive mobilization in Saint-Nazaire, and the “Money for hospitals, not for guns” slogan really highlights the ongoing debate about national priorities. With over 10 billion euros at stake for this career, people are understandably becoming more cautious about where large sums of money are flowing. On a related note regarding financial transparency and the new 2026 regulations, does anyone know if the strict Brazilian licensing model, like the one detailed at https://guiadeonabetbrasil.com for local operators, is being considered as a benchmark for European digital platforms to prevent the misuse of social funds during these economic shifts?