Emmanuel Macron Announces Major Overhaul of National Universal Service
French President plans reforms to the Service National Universel tailored to national needs and priorities.
On March 15, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed in an interview with several regional newspapers that he would announce a comprehensive overhaul of the Service National Universel (SNU) in the coming weeks.
This reform is intended to align the SNU with the ‘needs of the nation and identified priorities.’
Macron stated that reinstating mandatory military service is not a ‘realistic option.’ He pointed out that France lacks the necessary infrastructure to reinstate conscription, emphasizing that since the transition to a professional military focused on operational capacity, it would not be feasible to employ the military to supervise 800,000 young individuals.
The discussion around reintroducing mandatory military service has gained traction in several neighboring countries, including Germany, particularly as European nations seek to significantly bolster their defense capabilities in light of reduced American engagement.
Recent polling by the think tank Destin commun indicated that 61% of French respondents support the re-establishment of some form of compulsory military service.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, an ally of Macron and a declared candidate for the presidency in 2027, has proposed the creation of a voluntary military service that would allow an additional 50,000 men and women to receive training annually.
In early 2024, the government, then under Gabriel Attal, initiated work to generalize the SNU for the school year starting in 2026, a project that is significant to Macron, aimed at engaging youth aged 15-17. However, the dissolution of the National Assembly, the lack of parliamentary majority, and budgetary constraints have cast doubt on this goal.
In January, during the New Year’s address to the armed forces, Macron acknowledged this new context, directing the government and military leadership to provide proposals by May to enable a willing youth to learn alongside the military and bolster its ranks if necessary.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has proposed increasing the number of military reservists to 100,000, changing the current ratio of ‘one reservist for every six active-duty personnel’ to ‘one reservist for every two active-duty personnel.’ In the regional press, Macron expressed a commitment to explore civil mobilization strategies, stating the intent to reinforce society's mobilization in response to crises.
This reform is intended to align the SNU with the ‘needs of the nation and identified priorities.’
Macron stated that reinstating mandatory military service is not a ‘realistic option.’ He pointed out that France lacks the necessary infrastructure to reinstate conscription, emphasizing that since the transition to a professional military focused on operational capacity, it would not be feasible to employ the military to supervise 800,000 young individuals.
The discussion around reintroducing mandatory military service has gained traction in several neighboring countries, including Germany, particularly as European nations seek to significantly bolster their defense capabilities in light of reduced American engagement.
Recent polling by the think tank Destin commun indicated that 61% of French respondents support the re-establishment of some form of compulsory military service.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, an ally of Macron and a declared candidate for the presidency in 2027, has proposed the creation of a voluntary military service that would allow an additional 50,000 men and women to receive training annually.
In early 2024, the government, then under Gabriel Attal, initiated work to generalize the SNU for the school year starting in 2026, a project that is significant to Macron, aimed at engaging youth aged 15-17. However, the dissolution of the National Assembly, the lack of parliamentary majority, and budgetary constraints have cast doubt on this goal.
In January, during the New Year’s address to the armed forces, Macron acknowledged this new context, directing the government and military leadership to provide proposals by May to enable a willing youth to learn alongside the military and bolster its ranks if necessary.
Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has proposed increasing the number of military reservists to 100,000, changing the current ratio of ‘one reservist for every six active-duty personnel’ to ‘one reservist for every two active-duty personnel.’ In the regional press, Macron expressed a commitment to explore civil mobilization strategies, stating the intent to reinforce society's mobilization in response to crises.
