France is set to introduce a new mandatory military service scheme for young people, as the country grapples with escalating threats from Russia. Under the plan, 18- and 19-year-olds will have the option to volunteer for a 10-month service, which would be paid at a minimum of €800 per month. The scheme aims to bolster France's armed forces and provide a pool of potential reservists.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the plans in a speech, highlighting the need for mobilization and engagement from young people. He stated that France cannot remain idle in the face of accelerating threats on the global stage and that this new initiative is inspired by European partners who have also taken steps to bolster their military capabilities.
The proposed scheme will cost around €2 billion and aims to attract 3,000 volunteers by 2026, with a target of 10,000 by 2030. Macron hopes to increase the number of participants to 50,000 by 2036, depending on evolving threats. The plan is seen as part of a broader shift across Europe, where nations are reassessing their security priorities in light of shifting global power dynamics.
Critics have raised concerns that military service should not be a priority for young people, especially when France is not currently at war. However, others see the initiative as a positive step towards bolstering national security and providing young people with an opportunity to engage with their country's armed forces. The plan has been welcomed by some politicians, including Marine Le Pen's National Rally party, while others have expressed skepticism.
The move comes after controversy surrounding comments from France's armed forces chief, Gen Fabien Mandon, who suggested that France needed to steel itself for possible future losses against Russian aggression. Macron has sought to play down the remarks, emphasizing that the new initiative is focused on national security and bolstering the country's military capabilities rather than sending young people to Ukraine or engaging in combat operations.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the plans in a speech, highlighting the need for mobilization and engagement from young people. He stated that France cannot remain idle in the face of accelerating threats on the global stage and that this new initiative is inspired by European partners who have also taken steps to bolster their military capabilities.
The proposed scheme will cost around €2 billion and aims to attract 3,000 volunteers by 2026, with a target of 10,000 by 2030. Macron hopes to increase the number of participants to 50,000 by 2036, depending on evolving threats. The plan is seen as part of a broader shift across Europe, where nations are reassessing their security priorities in light of shifting global power dynamics.
Critics have raised concerns that military service should not be a priority for young people, especially when France is not currently at war. However, others see the initiative as a positive step towards bolstering national security and providing young people with an opportunity to engage with their country's armed forces. The plan has been welcomed by some politicians, including Marine Le Pen's National Rally party, while others have expressed skepticism.
The move comes after controversy surrounding comments from France's armed forces chief, Gen Fabien Mandon, who suggested that France needed to steel itself for possible future losses against Russian aggression. Macron has sought to play down the remarks, emphasizing that the new initiative is focused on national security and bolstering the country's military capabilities rather than sending young people to Ukraine or engaging in combat operations.
i get why they wanna bolster their military capabilities but 3k volunteers by 2026 feels kinda aggressive...what's the real goal here?
! France is like, totally serious about strengthening its military 
. I get it, with Russia being all aggressive and stuff 
, but 10 months of service? That's like, a looong time 
. Can't they just do some community service or volunteer work instead? 
.
. And what if it doesn't attract enough volunteers? 
3,000 by 2026? That's like, a drop in the bucket 
️. But I guess it's better than nothing 
.
. They're the future, after all 
. And who knows, maybe this will be some cool experience for them 
? But at the same time, I hope they're not going to get hurt or anything 
. Fingers crossed 
! Europe needs to be proactive about its security and this scheme is a step in the right direction 
I mean, 10 months of service might seem like a good opportunity for young people to give back, but think about the impact on their education and future careers! 
Not to mention the financial strain, €800 per month is no joke 
It feels like we're just patching up a bigger hole rather than trying to solve the problem altogether 
. And what if they have other plans or aspirations? Are they just gonna be expected to put all that on hold? I mean, I guess it's better than having to go fight in a war or something, but still... seems like a lot of pressure on young people 
.
.
. they could use that money to pay off student loans or somethin instead of makin it sound like a cool way to "engage" w/ the army