European officials are quietly developing contingency plans for a "European NATO" that could maintain deterrence against Russia if the United States withdraws troops or refuses to invoke Article 5, the Wall Street Journal reported. The talks involve Germany, the UK, France, Poland, the Nordics, and Canada and cover who would take over air and missile defence, reinforcement routes, and nuclear credibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has separately proposed an EU bloc joining Ukraine, the UK, Türkiye, and Norway.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged a coordinated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United States, expressing doubts about a newly announced US-led initiative. Speaking at the 8th summit of the European Political Community in Yerevan, Armenia, Macron said France would not participate in any military operation under an unclear framework. He reiterated that a parallel Franco-British plan remains on hold while hostilities persist.

France has allocated €200 million in emergency funding to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities across government ministries, following a massive data breach at the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANTS) detected on April 15. Minister Delegate for AI and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff said the funds will be used for flash audits and to raise protection levels, but acknowledged the sum is insufficient. The prime minister has also created a new National Authority for Digital and AI to centralize cybersecurity efforts.

French MP Emmanuel Fernandes (La France Insoumise) has called for the cancellation of a far-right banquet organized by a company linked to billionaire Stérin, scheduled for May 30 in Colmar. Fernandes cited fears of unrest and promotion of racist ideas. The LR mayor of Colmar refused the demand, denouncing a 'hysterization of the debate.'

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election at age 74, targeting the far-right Rassemblement National. Separately, over 20,000 attendees gathered at a free party on military land near Bourges to protest proposed stricter penalties including fines and up to two years in prison for organizers. A France Inter and France 2 investigation revealed racist remarks made during a banquet of the 'Canon français', funded by ultraconservative billionaire Pierre-Édouard Stérin.

Nathalie Loiseau, Renew MEP and secretary of the Horizons party, condemned Jean-Luc Mélenchon's announcement of his 2027 presidential candidacy, stating that his election would destroy the European project just as the far-right would. She accused Mélenchon of divisiveness and flirting with antisemitism, and discussed the competition within the centrist bloc between Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal. The remarks highlight ongoing political tensions in France ahead of the 2027 election.

The French government summoned fuel distributors to a meeting at Bercy on May 4 to address rising fuel prices. Economist Anna Creti noted the sector is highly competitive and the government has limited leverage beyond applying pressure. The government is preparing a 'high-mileage driver' aid scheme starting May 27, while TotalEnergies has capped prices, indirectly disciplining the market.

The French government has introduced a €50 fuel aid for low-income workers who drive to work. Eligible are those with annual income under €16,880 and commuting less than 15 km per day. Applications open May 27 via impots.gouv.fr, with payments within 10 days. The measure aims to alleviate rising fuel costs for modest households.