French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that France is preparing to launch a new voluntary military service program, part of a broader European Union effort to strengthen military capabilities amid escalating tensions with Russia. The initiative, which is expected to see up to 50,000 participants annually, aims to bolster France’s armed forces following the 1997 suspension of conscription.
The plan, first proposed in July by Macron, responds to what he describes as a “lasting threat” from Russia, a claim that Moscow has dismissed as nonsense. In a speech at the G20 summit in South Africa, Macron stated, “In a world of uncertainty and rising tensions… France must continue to be a strong nation with a strong army.” The program, which will provide compensation for participants, is designed to offer a voluntary alternative to the current all-volunteer military force.
France’s effort to expand its armed forces follows similar moves by other EU states since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Poland has rolled out a paid voluntary basic military service, Germany has approved a new military-service model that could shift to selective conscription if volunteer numbers fall short, and the Netherlands is engaged in a public debate over potential reintroduction of the draft. Other countries like Latvia and Croatia have reinstated compulsory military service, while Denmark has expanded the draft to include women.
General Fabien Mandon, chief of staff of the armed forces, recently argued that France should not ignore this broader European trend, noting that several of its neighbors are “in the process of reintroducing a national service.” France has been among the strongest backers of Kiev since the conflict with Russia began, providing weapons, training, and political support.
Russia has condemned what it calls the EU’s “reckless militarization,” describing increased defense spending in the bloc as a distraction from internal woes. The initiative reflects a shift in French military strategy to address perceived global uncertainties, with Macron emphasizing the importance of a strong armed force to safeguard national interests.