World News Actuality presented By Claire Evren – French president Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of a new voluntary youth military service to begin by mid-2026, which would help France respond to “accelerating threats” on the global stage.
Mr Macron’s office confirmed he would emphasise the “need to prepare the nation for growing threats” during his visit to the Varces military base in the French Alps.
France is seeking to boost its defences as Russia’s war in Ukraine puts the European continent at “great risk”, Emmanuel Macron stated.
Macron told : “The day that you send a signal of weakness to Russia – which for 10 years has made a strategic choice to become an imperial power again, that’s to say advance wherever we are weak – well, it will continue to advance.”
“France cannot remain idle,” Macron said during a speech at the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, in the French Alps.
He said the plan was “inspired by practices of our European partners… at a time when all our European allies advance in response to a threat that weighs on us all.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said the voluntary scheme will be open to 18- and 19-year-olds, who would be paid, and would last 10 months. It will cost 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion), which he called “a significant and necessary effort.”
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- World News Actuality Presented By Claire Evren
The scheme envisages engaging 3,000 people in 2026, who will only ever serve on French soil, rising to 10,000 by 2030.
“My ambition for France is to reach 50,000 youth by 2036, depending on evolving threats,” Macron said.
After the program, participants could integrate into civilian life, become a reservist, or stay in the armed forces, he said.
Macron’s announcement brings France in line with nearly a dozen other European nations like Germany and Denmark who have launched similar projects.
France’s military currently comprises around 200,000 active personnel and over 40,000 reservists
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- World News Actuality Cl:aire Evren
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- World News Actuality Presented By Claire Evren
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- World News Actuality Presented By Claire Evren
