French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to reintroduce military conscription in France on a voluntary basis in a major speech as Europe prepares for a future of military challenges from the east.
"The president will make announcements that will respond to the younger generation's desire to engage itself in the armed forces, but above all to respond to the army's needs in the face of increasing perils," an adviser to Mr Macron said.
The president's speech is scheduled for midday on Thursday in the south-eastern town of Varces, at the headquarters of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade.
The speech will stress "the importance of preparing the nation, and its morale, in the face of growing threats", the Elysee said.
Mr Macron is expected to unveil a voluntary military service for French men and women aged 18 with the aim of attracting 3,000 people by next year, 10,000 by 2027 and 50,000 by 2035, weekly publication La Tribune Dimanche reported. Volunteers would be paid between €900 and €1,000 ($1,157) a month over a period of 10 months.
Members of the French Air and Space Academy march during the annual Bastille Day military ceremony on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France. Reuters
This framework has been branded as a new version of the general national service, which was launched in 2021 and widely viewed as a failure due to low participation rates and high costs.
Young French men and women have an overall positive opinion on the army and 56 per cent would consider a career in it, according to a research paper published in April last year by the army's research
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