ISTANBUL

France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced Monday that both chambers of parliament will hold a vote on “strengthening the armed forces” as part of ongoing talks on the 2026 state budget.

Speaking at a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office, Lecornu reviewed the latest stage of parliamentary debates on the budget bill, stressing that national security remains his foremost concern.

He said that in the coming days, the National Assembly and the Senate will be asked to vote on France’s defense policy and on measures aimed at reinforcing the military.

Recalling that the National Assembly rejected the revenue component of the 2026 budget bill last week, Lecornu said: “Some parties, some presidential election candidates, essentially believe that compromise does not align with their electoral strategies.”

Calling on all lawmakers to treat the budget process with seriousness, he added: “The National Assembly is not a theater, and the budget is not a stage backdrop.”

President Emmanuel Macron is expected in the coming days to unveil a new voluntary scheme for the armed forces, the French national news broadcaster BFM TV reported.

Although details have not yet been finalized, scenarios being examined include recruiting 10,000 young volunteers by 2030 and 50,000 by 2035.

France ended conscription in 1996 when then-President Jacques Chirac announced the transition to a fully professional army.