France to reintroduce military service amid Russian threat
Why France is bringing back military service after nearly 20 years
- French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to unveil a new national military service plan aimed at bolstering the nation's armed forces.
- The initiative is a response to escalating concerns over Russia's threat to European stability beyond the war in Ukraine.
- The plan will offer a voluntary military service option for French youth, explicitly ruling out a return to conscription, which ended in 1996.
- France plans to significantly increase its defence spending, with an additional €6.5 billion over the next two years and an annual target of €64 billion by 2027.
- Other European nations, including Germany, Belgium, and Poland, are also enhancing their military capabilities and reserve forces amidst similar concerns.