Ugo Pascolo 06:00, March 24, 2024

While the Russian invasion in Ukraine entered its third year last February, and Emmanuel Macron opened the door to sending French troops there, 65% of French people are in favor of a return to compulsory military service. . This is what emerges from our CSA survey for Europe 1, CNews and Le Journal du Dimanche*.

It was October 28, 1997. More than a year after announcing it during the France 2 news, Jacques Chirac promulgated the law putting an end to compulsory military service in France. A true revolution which put an end to almost 200 years of conscription. But almost three decades after this historic decision, it is perhaps time to put national service back in place: with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the geopolitical situation is tense on the Old Continent. Emmanuel Macron opened the door to sending French troops to support kyiv and certain countries are considering reintroducing compulsory military service. This is particularly the case for Germany and the United Kingdom, while Sweden and Latvia have already taken the plunge.

Those over 50 are 70% in favor of the return of compulsory military service

In France, certain voices, including that of former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, are asking the question of reinstating compulsory military service. He is not the only one. According to our CSA survey for Europe 1, CNews and 

Le Journal du Dimanche

*, 65% of French people are for the return of conscription and 35% are against. 

In detail, this idea appeals to all age groups. Those under 35 are in favor at 58% and those over 50 at 70%. Those aged 25-34 are the most hesitant about the idea of ​​serving in the army, at 55% in favor. 

While it may therefore appear clear that all those surveyed want a return to compulsory military service, things are clearly different in terms of political opinions. Indeed, left-wing sympathizers are perplexed by this reintroduction, 50%-50%, while voters from France Insoumise are clearly against (39% favorable opinion and 61% unfavorable). The Ecologists are on a similar line since their voters are 36% to be for, 62% to be against and 2% who do not comment. Note, however, the counter-current score of PS supporters, a large majority of whom (64%) wish to reverse Jacques Chirac's decision. 

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On the right, however, the idea hardly suffers from any debate: in total, 82% of supporters are for and 18% against. Figures which vary little between Les Républicains (84%-16%) and the National Rally (81%-19%). 

As for majority voters, 68% are in favor of a return to compulsory military service, and 32% are against. 

* Self-administered online panel questionnaire carried out on March 21 and 22. Nationally representative sample of 1,011 people aged 18 and over Quota method based on the criteria of sex, age and profession of the respondent after stratification by region and urban category. To ensure the representativeness of the results, the data were adjusted for the variables of sex, age, profession, region and urban category.