France’s chief of staff of the armed forces, General Fabien Mandon, has urged the country’s mayors to begin conditioning the population for “future conflicts”.
According to Mandon, France must be ready to “stop Moscow” and accept serious national “sacrifices” including the willingness to “sacrifice” the nation’s own “children”.
In a speech on November 18, the General warned that French mayors should be preparing the nation, both on a human level and in terms of symbolism and logistics across the country.
“We have all the knowledge, all the economic and demographic strength needed to deter the regime in Moscow from trying its luck any further,” he said.
“What we lack is the strength of spirit to accept making sacrifices in order to protect who we are.
“If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept losing its children—because we have to say things as they are — or to suffer economically because priorities will shift to defence production, for example.
“If we are not prepared for that, then we are at risk,” he said.
The gradual withdrawal of the US from the European continent, the rise of China, the spread of terrorism in Africa, tensions in the Middle East, Russia’s war against Ukraine and possible preparations for a wider conflict all put France at higher risk, it was claimed.
According to Mandon, the Pentagon estimates that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2027 would lead to a confrontation with the US.
He also said that on the European continent, Russia would not stop at Ukraine. It is preparing for a “confrontation in 2030 with our countries and NATO members”, Mandon stated.
He also urged France’s mayors to make room for the armed forces in their communities, from nursery spots and schools to housing for deployed personnel.
He further demanded that mayors open their towns to large-scale military drills and manoeuvres, insisting that the army “needs space”.
“We need space. Please try to view these actions in a positive light. We have a network that can help you prepare,” the military chief said.
Following Mandon’s speech, left-wing parties and the National Rally (RN) disapproved of the initiative, arguing that he had stepped beyond his remit.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the French left-wing party, La France Insoumise, criticised the General’s comments.
“I want to express total disagreement with the speech of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces,” he said.
“It is not up to him to go and invite mayors or anyone at all to undertake war preparations decided by no one: Neither the president, nor the government, nor parliament.
“Nor to anticipate sacrifices that would be the consequence of our diplomatic failures, on which his public opinion has not been sought!
“Where has President [Emmanuel] Macron gone? Why does he allow this?,” he added.
RN Vice-President Sébastien Chenu accused the military chief of fear-mongering.
“These are words that frighten us, words that cause anxiety among the population and words that, as far as I know, do not represent French policy,” he said, before adding that Mandon had “no legitimacy” to say what he did.
“The chief of staff has no legitimacy to alarm the French with alarmist statements that in no way correspond to the country’s official line.
“If he says what Macron thinks, it is serious. If he says what Macron does not think, it is serious. He is overstepping his role!” Chenu said.
Mandon’s speech, though, echoed Macron’s from earlier this year.
For that, the French President at the time was also accused of fear-mongering by the opposition parties.
