Conscription drummed out as France gets professional
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The French President, Jacques Chirac, yesterday announced the end of obligatory national service for the country's youth. It will be replaced from the end of next year by voluntary service and a compulsory "citizen's rendez-vous" - a short period during which health and academic checks will be carried out and classes given about France's defence.
The decision is the result of three months of consultations, which followed Mr Chirac's speech in February in which he called for the introduction of a professional army over the next six years. Numbers in the military will be reduced by 25 per cent to 30 per cent, prompting Mr Chirac to say "we shall no longer need conscripts".
At first the "rendez-vous" will apply to young men aged 18 to 20 and any women who chose to take part.
From 2002 it will become compulsory for both sexes. It is seen as an extension of the present "three days", during which potential conscripts undergo health and psychological tests. The aim is to reinforce national pride and to give the government sufficient knowledge about the country's youth if an international crisis forced conscription to be reintroduced.
Philippe Seguin, the parliamentary leader, said it would "give young French people the chance to accomplish a positive act at least once in their life and to mark their adherence and attachment to their country".
Those who opt to carry out voluntary service will have three options: a "defence and security" service in either the armed forces or the police; "social action" in humanitarian associations or in social administrations and an overseas service. The duration of this voluntary service will vary from 10 to 18 months.
Not everyone is in favour of the plans. The leader of the right-wing UDF party, Francois Leotard, has advocated that conscription should be maintained, because it is "the last means of integration for many young people".
The leader of the Socialist Party, Lionel Jospin, believes that the proposed "rendez-vous" will not be sufficient to maintain the links between the people and the army.
A bill to implement the changes is to be tabled in parliament in autumn.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments