Emmanuel Macron has brought back military service for France’s youth – just days after his top general told the French to “accept losing your children”.
Mr Macron announced the move on Thursday during a visit to an armed forces facility.
“France cannot remain idle,” He said during a speech at the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, in the French Alps.
He said the plan was “inspired by practices of our European partners… at a time when all our European allies advance in response to a threat that weighs on us all.”
Speaking on French radio this week, he said France needed to “reinforce the army-nation pact” as Europe faces increasing pressure from Russia in the form of so-called hybrid warfare.
“It’s very important that a maximum of our compatriots understand what our armies are, how they work, or participate in the reserve army,” he said.
Emmanuel Macron has brought back military service for France’s youth
|
GETTY
“It’s in this context that we’re taking several initiatives including the transformation of universal national service,” Mr Macron added.
France ended compulsory national military service in 1997 during Jacques Chirac’s presidency – though Mr Macron’s new measure will be voluntary.
“We cannot return to the time of conscription,” he said on Thursday. “This hybrid army model corresponds to the threats and risks ahead, bringing together national service youth, reservists, and the active army.”
The right-wing Rassemblement National has endorsed the return to service, however, with party leader Jordan Bardella calling Mr Chirac’s suspension an “error”.
His initiative places France alongside other European countries strengthening up amid mounting dangers from Russia.
The continent has suffered various forms of Russian aggression including airspace violations by drones, digital attacks, possible interference with undersea cables and even attempts to influence elections.
Mr Macron announced his plans on Thursday during a visit to an armed forces facility
|
GETTY
Germany has recently announced its own military service revival plans, aiming to expand its forces from 182,000 to potentially 260,000 within a decade to establish Europe’s most powerful conventional military.
The French President previously signalled his intentions to senior military commanders before July’s Bastille Day celebrations, warning of the “enduring threat” from Russia.
France aims to expand its current 200,000-strong military to 210,000 personnel by 2030.
The country also plans to increase its reserve forces from approximately 40,000 to 80,000 during this timeframe.
EUROPE AT WAR – READ MORE:
Both males and females will be eligible for the voluntary programme, with full details expected later on Thursday.
Research conducted by Sciences Po academic Anne Muxel for France’s Defence Ministry in 2024 revealed that 62 per cent of French citizens between 18 and 25 years old favour mandatory military service.
More than half of those surveyed also supported increased military funding.
Mr Macron said on Tuesday that France, Britain and additional European nations were ready to deploy “reassurance troops” to Ukraine should a peace deal with Russia materialise.
Mr Macron said on Tuesday that France, Britain and additional European nations were ready to deploy ‘reassurance troops’ to Ukraine
|
GETTY
However, he quickly dismissed any possibility of volunteers being deployed to Ukraine.
General Fabien Mandon, the head of France’s Armed Forces, sparked uproar last week when he told a mayors’ conference that France must be prepared to “accept losing its children” to defend against emerging dangers.
“If our country falters because it is not ready to accept losing its children – because these things need to be said – and to suffer economically because priorities will go towards defence production, then we are at risk,” he added.
Mr Macron intends to boost defence spending by €3.5billion in 2026 and €3billion in 2027, representing a six per cent rise, though budgetary challenges in parliament may postpone these plans.
