French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled details of a new voluntary military service in the Alps, designed to meet the armed forces' needs. The service will begin in the summer of 2026 and last for ten months.
Volunteers must be 18-19-year-olds, selected based on their willingness and the military's needs. They will receive military status, a uniform, a monthly salary of 800 euros, and accommodation, food, and equipment.
The service will consist of one month of basic military training and nine months of service in an army unit, exclusively in France. In 2026, 3,000 young people are planned to be recruited; in 2030, 10,000; and in 2035, the number should reach 50,000.
Macron noted that in the event of a severe crisis, parliament could authorize compulsory conscription, making service mandatory. The president linked this initiative to Russian threats and rising risks of conflict.
