French MPs Set to Vote on Wider Role in NATO
By VOA News
17 March 2009
The French parliament is set to vote Tuesday on President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to rejoin the NATO military command.
Analysts said the conservative government is nearly certain to win the confidence vote, despite some opposition complaints that full NATO participation will compromise French independence from U.S. influence.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon addressed lawmakers to assure them that France's return to the military structures will be "an adjustment" that will give the country greater influence within NATO.
Under French law, Mr. Sarkozy could authorize NATO reintegration without parliamentary approval. But proponents said the confidence vote will further add to the legitimacy of the move.
Former French President Charles de Gaulle quit the command structure in 1966, saying France was losing its military independence to the United States.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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