According to the president, Europe faces a "constant threat from Russia."
France may announce the introduction of voluntary military service in the coming days. As Le Figaro reports, President Emmanuel Macron plans to officially announce this on November 27, amid rising security risks in Europe.
"France must remain a strong country with a powerful army," Macron emphasized on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
According to the publication, work on the initiative has been ongoing for several months: the president first mentioned the idea on July 13 during a speech to the military command.
Le Figaro notes that the government is considering several scenarios. The plan involves attracting between 10,000 and 50,000 volunteers per year. The duration of service may be 10 months, and participants will receive financial compensation of several hundred euros per month.
Macron argues for the need for reform by stating that Europe faces a "constant threat from Russia," and therefore the state must be able to mobilize quickly if necessary.
France is not the only EU country revising its approach to military service. Earlier, the German government approved a new selection model:
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All 18-year-old citizens will receive a questionnaire to assess their motivation and suitability;
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Youth born after January 1, 2008, will be required to undergo a medical examination;
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Service will remain voluntary, but in the event of a shortage of volunteers, "military duty may be introduced if necessary," with candidates determined by lottery.
