French government considering conscription for 15-17 year olds Cambodian opposition leaders sentenced to 27 years in prison

The “universal national service” for young people introduced in France in 2019 could become mandatory according to the will of the government. The Ministry of Education wants to gradually make compulsory one-month military service for all French people aged 15 to 17, the broadcaster France Info reports. The Élysée Palace wants to decide in the spring how to proceed with the volunteer service launched by President Emmanuel Macron. The purpose of the service is to promote youth participation “in the life of the nation”.

Two weeks of service are spent outside the home region in shared housing with a strict daily routine and in uniform-like clothing – including in the military. During the service, the youth must be introduced to security and defense issues, be persuaded into public service or charitable obligations. This is followed by 84 hours of community service in the place of residence. The service can also be extended voluntarily with a three-month assignment with the armed forces, the police or the fire brigade. In 2022, 32,000 young people completed compulsory military service.

Criticism of a possible conscription came from the French Greens. There will be strict military service without the possibility of conscientious objection, the EELV party said on Friday. The outrage of the younger generation over environmental and social grievances is countered with military discipline. The young people were only too happy to refrain from stamping in ‘the values ​​of the Republic’ by military exercise. France suspended conscription in 1997.

On Friday, the Ministry of Defense gave an insight into the broadcast of 27 young people as part of their conscription at the prestigious Saint Cyr Coëtquidan military academy. The program included sports activities such as obstacle courses and camping in the field with combat rations. This military preparation shows the army’s will to get closer to young people and contribute to the development of national cohesion, it said. (saw/sda/dpa)