French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a new program for young people. It is a type of national service. France stopped its old, required military service 25 years ago. Now, the new program will start next summer. It is for volunteers.
The program is for 18- and 19-year-olds. It will last 10 months. Volunteers will get at least €800 every month. The first group will have 3,000 young people. The government wants 50,000 volunteers every year by 2035. President Macron said it is important to prepare for danger. He said it is "an act of trust in our youth."
The main reason is security worries about Russia. Other European countries have similar programs. Military leaders in France support the plan. They say France relied too much on professional soldiers before. This program will create more trained people. It is not required, but it shows a big change. The goal is to connect French people and the military again.