National service is being brought back in France. Emmanuel Macron used a visit to a military base in the Alps on Thursday to outline his initiative. The service will begin next year for a term of ten months, and it will be voluntary. Macron’s plan is being viewed as a response to the Russian threat, but for many French people there is a greater – and far closer – menace than president Putin.

This view is shared among the silent majority and explains why Le Pen’s party now has the most seats in parliament

Macron set a target of 50,000 annual recruits by 2035 with most aged 18 and 19, although it will be open for men and women up to 25 who have specific skills. France scrapped military conscription in 1996 but this new variation has the broad support of the public. A poll on Thursday revea

See Full Page