A significant majority of French citizens favor reinstating military service, though opinions vary on how it should be implemented.
According to an Ipsos poll commissioned by Le Parisien, 86% of respondents support the return of military service, which was abolished in 2001. However, views diverge on its structure:
- 53% support making it mandatory.
- 32% believe it should include women.
- 33% favor a voluntary system instead.
Support for mandatory service is lower among younger people—while 78% of those under 35 approve of reinstating it, only 41% want it to be compulsory.
Gender differences also emerge:
- 39% of men back mandatory service for both genders, but only 26% of women agree.
- 24% of women support compulsory service for men only, compared to 19% of men.
