(Paris) France announced a new volunteer conscription program on Thursday to meet the needs of the French armed forces and bolster its defense capabilities. This makes France one of the European countries that has strengthened its military since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the new volunteer conscription program starting next year in a speech at a military base in southeastern France on Thursday (November 27). Approximately 80% of those recruited will be young people aged 18 to 19, with a 10-month service period, including one month of military training and nine months of military service "depending on the needs of the troops."
Macron emphasized that volunteers will serve on French soil and will not participate in overseas military operations.
France ended its conscription system in the 1990s. Macron reiterated that France has no intention of reinstating conscription and stated that the new conscription program does not mean "sending young people to the front lines in Ukraine."
Macron did not mention Russia in his speech, but he noted, "France cannot stand idly by as all our European allies struggle to address a common threat."
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A poll released on Thursday showed that as many as 79% of the French public support the volunteer military service program. However, the far-left La Insoumise party criticized Macron, saying he was prepared to sacrifice young people for war, and pointed out that the monthly allowance of 800 euros (about S$1,200) for volunteers is below the minimum wage.
