Military service to be reintroduced in France
Over 25 years after the phasing out of conscription, France is set to reintroduce military service in a limited form. In response to fears over a conflict with Russia, the plan would see young men and women volunteer for a paid 10 months of military training.
“The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it,” President Emmanuel Macron said as he announced the plans at an infantry base in the south east of the country. “We need to mobilise, mobilising the nation to defend itself, to be ready and remain respected.”
The new military service will be introduced gradually, starting next summer. It will be mainly for 18 and 19 year olds who will be paid €800 (£700) per month.
“In this uncertain world where might triumphs over right, war is in the present tense,” Macron said. The army, he added, would benefit from motivated young people, calling the measure “an act of trust in our youth.”
At the start, the military service will be limited to 3,000 people next year, but this is expected to rise to 50,000 by 2035. France currently boasts 200,000 military personnel and an additional 47,000 reservists. The new measure would introduce a three-tier structure of professionals, reservists, and volunteers.
This puts France in a similar position as other European countries which have also introduced military service in response to concerns over Russian aggression. Belgium and the Netherlands have already introduced it, with Germany planning to follow suit.
Lithuania and Latvia have both brought in compulsory schemes, with the selection process being a lottery. Sweden has started nine to 15 month service, selecting individuals on merit.
There are no plans in the UK to reintroduce it, according to the BBC.
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