French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a new national service program. This comes 25 years after France ended its old system of required military service. The new program is for young volunteers and will start next summer. The first group will have 3,000 people. The government says this is important to make the country stronger and safer in today's world.
The program is for 18- and 19-year-olds. It will last for 10 months, and volunteers will be paid at least €800 each month. The government hopes that by the year 2035, about 50,000 young people will join every year. These volunteers will become a new part of the French military, along with the full-time soldiers and reservists. President Macron said, "The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it." He also called the plan "an act of trust in our youth."
One main reason for this change is security worries in Europe, especially about Russia. Other European countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are also starting similar programs. Countries closer to Russia, like Lithuania, still have required service.
French military leaders support the plan. They think the country relied too much on professional soldiers before. This new program will create a large group of trained citizens. This can help the full-time army and may even encourage some volunteers to choose a military career.
The program is not required by law, but it is a big change. It aims to build a stronger connection between the French people and their military. As Europe focuses more on defense, France believes this new link will be very important for its future security.