Emmanuel Macron gives his roadmap to the armies – Le Figaro

Relaunch of universal national service, withdrawal of Mali, new military programming law: the President of the Republic presented to the military community on Wednesday evening his priorities for the months to come. The Covid years had imposed restrictions and constraints. Once again this year, in the context of an epidemic resumption, vigilance is required and recommended in the gardens of the Hôtel de Brienne. Glasses of water are also served to hold the heat. But the appointment was held. Head of State Emmanuel Macron met the military community on Wednesday evening during the traditional reception in honor of those who will parade on July 14. All the high hierarchy is present, as well as simple soldiers and representatives of the allied nations. It is a privileged moment for a direct tribute to the soldiers, but also to the bereaved families and the wounded soldiers, with whom the President of the Republic takes time. “The Republic needs you to do more” Before speaking Thursday on television, Emmanuel Macron wants to send a few messages to the armies. The war in Ukraine like the French withdrawal from Mali upset the balance by forcing France to rethink its deployments, its place within coalitions but also by questioning its own national resilience. The president likes this word, as well as that of “moral force”, prized by the military. He repeats it. “Moral force will never be acquired, it is a transmission, a path, a dynamic”, he says, praising the merits of the values ​​of the army: discipline, order, worship of traditions… The flattering portrait does not is not free. “The Republic needs you to do more”, asks the Head of State, referring to the universal national service project which is close to his heart. He wants to mobilize the armies. Moreover, the Secretary of State in charge of the UNS Sarah El Haïry is placed under the dual authority of the Ministry of Education and the Armed Forces. He is expecting proposals this summer. SEE ALSO – Ceremony in honor of the troops: independence, innovation… Emmanuel Macron’s objectives for the army The President of the Republic has not detailed the new outlines of his project otherwise to continue towards “full deployment” of the UNS. He promised adequate financial means. But he still needs convincing. The UNS is still reluctantly welcomed by the armies which are mobilized on other fronts. The army’s commitments are changing, mainly in the Sahel, where Operation Barkhane in Mali will end this summer without putting an end to the fight against terrorism. The Head of State asked the staff to “rethink by the fall the whole [des dispositifs] on the African continent”. Emmanuel Macron asked for “less posed and less exposed” devices. A more invisible presence which supports the African military commitment in the rear. France no longer wants to be on the front line and held responsible for everything. Read also In Africa, Macron warned against Chinese predation To carry out these missions, the Head of State wants to continue the financial effort initiated five years ago. Emmanuel Macron has asked for a review of the military programming law and proposals by the end of the year. A new programming law which will commit the armies until 2030 will then be submitted to Parliament. SEE ALSO – “We must get out of the defense of the financial interests of the State”, says Emmanuel Macron in front of the troops