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French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to present a new plan to introduce voluntary military service on Thursday, a measure that, unlike many of his other policy initiatives, appears to be gaining broad consensus across France's polarized political landscape.
The program, which does not restore military conscription, aims to create a pool of young, trained personnel who can join the Armed Forces or the reserve force. While in the past the discussion about military service was linked to the "discipline" of young people or social cohesion, the current push comes in response to the growing threat from Russia.
At the same time, many European countries are considering different versions of restoring the term, as warnings intensify that Vladimir Putin could aim for a NATO seat as early as 2028.
"France is not alone in this discussion about the general mobilization of the country, beyond active military forces, especially today when the Russian threat is clear," said Socialist Senator Hélène Conway-Mouret, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Germany has already agreed to introduce compulsory conscription and medical examinations for 18-year-old men, with any decision to reinstate conscription dependent on whether the voluntary institution meets the needs of the army.
In Poland, the government announced its intention to educate every adult male, but without reinstating compulsory military service.
The French proposal foresees intensive military training, but without any discussion of a return to the mandate abolished in 1997 by Jacques Chirac.
Macron will visit the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Vars on Thursday, where he is expected to make the announcements. "The president will reaffirm the importance of preparing the nation and its morale in the face of growing threats," the Elysee Palace said.
Implementing the plan will require “legislative reform,” according to a government source. The government has pledged to present updated military legislation by December 21.
The plan is supported by the right and far right. Senate Defense Committee Chairman Cedric Perrin, a Republican, and National Rally leader Jordan Bardella, who mischaracterized the term's removal, are in favor.
Bardella argues that military service should at some point become mandatory again, while acknowledging that the Armed Forces currently do not have the resources to train all young people.
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