The move is part of a broader shift across Europe, where NATO members who have enjoyed decades of peace are worried about US President Donald Trump’s changing priorities and Russia’s aggressive stance.
What did Macron say about voluntary military service?
“France cannot remain passive,” Macron said in a speech to the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade at Varcas in the French Alps.
The French president said the plan was “inspired by the practices of our European partners… at a time when all our European allies are stepping up in response to the threat that weighs heavily on us all.”
The voluntary scheme is to be opened to 18 and 19 year olds, who will be paid and will run for 10 months. The cost will be about €2 billion ($2.32 billion), which Macron called “an important and necessary effort.”
It is expected that 3,000 people will participate in the scheme in 2026, increasing to 10,000 by 2030. Recruits would serve only on French soil.
Macron said participants can integrate into civilian life after this period, become reservists or remain in the army. France aims to increase the number of reservists to 80,000 by 2030.
General Fabien Mandon, head of the country’s armed forces, warned last week that the country should prepare for possible future losses in the face of Russian aggression. He said France “lacks the strength of character to accept suffering to defend who we are,” adding that the country “must accept losing our children.”
His comments caused an uproar and Macron took immediate steps to downplay them.
He told RTL radio on Tuesday that France should “absolutely, immediately” withdraw any suggestion of plans to send youth to Ukraine, referring to Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of its neighbor.
What are other countries doing?
The announcement puts France in line with about a dozen other European countries, such as Germany, that have launched similar plans.
Germany is trying to recruit more through a new voluntary military service, a plan still awaiting parliamentary approval.
Belgium’s defense minister sent letters to 17-year-olds this month urging them to consider military service next year, with the aim of selecting 500 candidates aged 18 to 25 for the program starting in September.
Poland has started rolling out a voluntary military training track and plans to train 100,000 volunteers a year from 2027 as it works to expand its reserve force. Officials said the country is not planning to reinstate universal conscription, but is instead focusing on a broad reserve model.
Currently ten EU countries maintain compulsory service – Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.
Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, also requires military service for men and women.
The time frame ranges from two months in Croatia to 19 months in Norway.
Edited by: Dmytro Lyubenko
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