During this visit, Mr. Macron “will exchange with young people from different engagement mechanisms as well as with those participating in the defense and citizenship day”, announced the Elysée. Then, after a military ceremony, “the Head of State will deliver a speech” at noon, in which he “reaffirms the importance of preparing the Nation, and its moral forces, in the face of growing threats”.
“In the world in which we live made of uncertainties, of a rise in tensions, if we truly want to be safe, we must dissuade others from coming […] France must continue to be a strong nation with a strong army but also with a capacity for collective resurgence”, said Saturday the Head of State, on the sidelines of the G20 in Johannesburg, in South Africa.
If the Scandinavian countries or the Baltics, neighbors of the Russian giant, have maintained or reestablished compulsory military service in recent years, France suspended conscription in 1997, under the presidency of Jacques Chirac.
“Last threat” from Russia
“Many neighbors in Europe are in the process of reintroducing a national service”, argued Saturday on France 5 the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, believing that this was part of “elements which are to be observed in our country.
Emmanuel Macron introduced this idea of voluntary service on July 13, in front of an audience of senior officers. Faced with a Europe “endangered” by the “lasting threat” from Russia, “we need a nation capable of holding on, of being mobilized”, he said. In addition to “efforts on our reserve”, we must also “give young people a new framework to serve, in other ways, within our armies”, he underlined, promising “decisions in this direction to the ‘autumn”.
Up to 50,000 young people per year
When questioned, the Ministry of the Armed Forces did not wish to comment on the contours of this service and its duration, as well as its cost. There is “work in this direction”, simply indicated Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces on Sunday on France Info. “The arbitrations have not been rendered”, said a source close to the matter.
Different scenarios envisage a volume of 10,000 to 50,000 people per year. According to several French media, the planned duration of this voluntary service would be ten months and would be paid up to several hundred euros.
According to the “National Strategic Review” 2025, a document which summarizes France’s ambitions in terms of defense and security policy, the establishment of a “renovated” voluntary military service would aim to “strengthen national cohesion” and to “create a reservoir of people who can be mobilized in the event of a crisis”.
The French armies have around 200,000 active soldiers and 47,000 reservists, and must increase to 210,000 and 80,000 people respectively in 2030.
On a voluntary basis
The mobilization on a voluntary basis of part of an age group could serve to meet the needs to “acquire the mass” necessary to last over time in the event of conflict, General Pierre Schill estimated this summer, Chief of Staff of the Army.
The idea is welcomed by part of the French political class. “Everything that can contribute to the spirit of defense, national resilience and express the patriotic feeling that lies dormant among the population is positive”, commented in the Tribune on Sunday the president of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Senate, Cédric Perrin (Les Républicains).
On the far right, the president of the Rassemblement national (RN) Jordan Bardella said Wednesday on X that he was “in favor” of reestablishing service under the flag “starting with military service open to volunteers”.
Patrick Kanner, the president of the socialist group in the Senate, remains more circumspect. “I am very cautious about this […] I believe in the professional army today. Afterwards, if young people want to commit to the nation, naturally, I am in favor of it”, he told France 3 on Sunday.
The expected arbitrations also promise to concern the uncertain future of universal National Service (UNS) intended for minors aged 15 to 17. This civil service, launched in 2019 and whose credits have since been cut, has never found its cruising speed. It essentially consisted of a two-week cohesion course.
