President Emmanuel Macron announced a new voluntary youth military service starting by mid-2026 to help France address “accelerating threats” globally. This initiative reflects a shift in Europe, where countries are concerned about changing U. S. security commitments and Russian aggression. Macron stated that France must not remain passive and described the plan as inspired by practices in other European nations responding to similar threats.
The service will be available for 18- and 19-year-olds, with participants being paid, and will last for 10 months. The program is budgeted at 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion) and aims to involve 3,000 participants in 2026, increasing to 10,000 by 2030. Macron hopes to have 50,000 youths in the service by 2035, depending on security needs. After completing the program, individuals can integrate into civilian life, join the reserves, or continue in the armed forces.
Macron emphasized that France will not reinstate conscription, which was ended in 1996, stating that the current situation requires a different approach. The goal is to have 100,000 reservists by 2030, raising the total military force to around 210,000. Meanwhile, General Fabien Mandon, the armed forces chief, faced backlash for discussing potential future losses in conflicts, specifically regarding Russian aggression. Macron worked to clarify that young people would not be sent to Ukraine amid concerns raised by Mandon’s comments.
With information from Reuters
