Arms alarm I

News in Brief

‘Rearmament’ was the key theme of French president Emmanuel Macron’s traditional New Year ‘Wishes to the Nation’ speech on 31 December, writes Marc Morgan.

The economy? Our ‘economic rearmament’ leaves us better prepared. Our answer to social issues? ‘Re-establishing authority’ and ‘civic rearmament’. Our public services? We will ‘re-arm the state’. Our answer to a troubled world? ‘The rearmament of the nation’.

In 10 years, the military budget has been doubled. The national service project of a ‘civilian service for the young’ is promoted in the face of widespread opposition….