Reuters
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President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday the creation of a new youth voluntary military service by mid-2026 to help France respond to “accelerating threats” on the world stage.
The move is part of broader changes across Europe, where countries that have long enjoyed decades of tranquility from U.S. security are worried about President Donald Trump’s shifting priorities and Russia’s aggressive posture.
“France cannot afford to stand still,” President Macron said in a speech at the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Valces, in the French Alps.
He said the plan was “inspired by the practices of our European allies, at a time when all of our European allies are moving forward in response to the threats that weigh heavily on us all.”
Mr Macron said the voluntary scheme would target 18- and 19-year-olds, pay benefits and last 10 months. It will cost 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion) and he called it an “important and necessary initiative.”
The plan calls for 3,000 people to work exclusively in mainland France in 2026, rising to 10,000 by 2030.
“My ambition for France is to support 50,000 young people by 2036, depending on the evolving threats,” Macron said.
After completing the program, participants can integrate into civilian life, become reservists or remain in the military, he said.
Macron’s announcement brings France into line with more than a dozen other European countries, including Germany and Denmark, which have launched similar projects.
Mr Macron said former President Jacques Chirac was right to abolish national service in 1996, adding that conscription makes no sense for France’s current needs.
“We cannot go back to the days of conscription,” President Macron said. “This hybrid force model brings together National Service youth, reservists, and active-duty military in response to future threats and risks.”
According to President Macron’s aides, France intends to increase the number of reservists from the current 47,000 to 100,000 by 2030. By 2030, total military strength would be around 210,000.
Ahead of Macron’s announcement, aides pointed to polling data that suggests support for the military is high among 18- to 25-year-olds.
Macron’s announcement was overshadowed by comments from General Fabien Mandon, the French military commander, who sparked an uproar last week when he said France needed to brace itself for possible future losses against Russian aggression.
“What we lack… is the strength of character to accept suffering in order to protect ourselves,” he said, adding that France “must accept the loss of our children.”
Mr Macron sought to downplay Mr Mandon’s comments.
“We must absolutely, immediately dispel this deranged idea of sending our young people to Ukraine,” he told RTL radio on Tuesday, hinting at a full-scale Russian invasion of the neighboring country in 2022.
Cédric Perrin, chairman of the French Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Military Affairs Committee, defended Mandon.
“His words were taken out of context… but if a little candor is needed to help the French understand the situation we are in, then he was right to act,” Perrin told Reuters.
