The French government faces a vote of confidence later Tuesday on the country's disputed plan to return to NATO's military structure.

The vote is considered symbolic as the NATO plan, announced by President Nicolas Sarkozy last week, does not require parliamentary ratification.

However, critics say the vote is necessary because there is huge opposition against this move, even in Sarkozy's conservative camp.

Former prime ministers Alain Juppe and Dominique de Villepin have criticized Sarkozy for giving up France's independence in defense policy without a reason. According to de Villepin, the decision is a serious "diplomatic mistake".

With the vote, which analysts say is likely to pass the NATO plan, Sarkozy is trying to get approval from the national assembly and thus give the move more legitimacy.

There are about 40 assembly members from Sarkozy's Party UMP who are against the move to regain full NATO membership. But it is very unlikely that they will deny the government their confidence and thus risk the collapse of the current administration, analysts say.

One week ago, at a conference titled "France, European Defense and NATO in the 21st Century," Sarkozy announced his country's reintegration into all structures of the Atlantic alliance. Sarkozy is expected to officially announce France's full return at a NATO summit in Strasbourg, France in April.

Citing his "responsibility for the nation's strategic decisions" and noting that strategic conditions in the world have changed considerably, Sarkozy pledged France's "full commitment" at the side of its partners -- 43 years after former President and General Charles de Gaulle withdrew France from NATO's military command as he sought to reassert France's independence after World War II.

In his speech, Sarkozy stressed that the return to the command structure of NATO is "in the interest of France and Europe" and would represent a "strengthening of our sovereignty."

Sarkozy said France, the fourth biggest contributor of NATO troops, should play a bigger role in the alliance and international affairs.

"We commit the lives of our soldiers, but do not participate in the committee that defines strategy and operations," he said.

"We have to stop deluding ourselves that by burying our heads in the sand, and we are capable of protecting anything," he added.

The president also said France would keep its nuclear force independent. Officials have said the country would not participate in NATO's nuclear planning committee.