France’s top general, Fabien Mandon, has sparked political backlash after warning that the country must be ready to 'lose its children' in the event of a war with Russia, citing societal unpreparedness despite France’s economic and demographic strength.

Paris

French General Fabien Mandon, chief of the defence staff and close ally of President Macron, has warned local officials that France must be prepared for all eventualities, including the loss of life, in the event of war. His remarks, delivered to local mayors, emphasized the need for national readiness and acceptance of potential sacrifices, which he argued are necessary to avoid greater risk.

The general's comments have drawn mixed reactions from local and national officials, with some criticizing the timing and tone as alarming, while others supported the warning as a necessary precaution. The French government has also published a crisis guide advising citizens to maintain emergency supplies in case of external aggression or natural disasters.

French general says country must 'prepare to lose its children' in war

The warning came from French General Fabien Mandon, chief of the defence staff standing here on the right, a close ally of President Macron. Earlier this week, General Mandon told local mayors that they need to start preparing for all eventualities, even loss of life in the case of a war. If our country falters because it is not prepared to accept, let's be honest, to lose its children, if we are not ready for that, then we are at risk. A message that left this local councillor reeling. It was not the right time or place. It's just going to frighten people. Yes, we should plan ahead and recruit, but we're not going to go alarm our children. For others, though, it's a sound warning. It's a real concern for the future. So I think we do indeed need to prepare, and we also need to make it known to foreign countries that could attack us that we're ready. It's not the first time that the general has taken a stand. He'd already told lawmakers that France needs to prepare for a war with Russia in the next three or four years, as Russia itself is preparing. Positions criticised this morning by part of the left. I don't think it's the job of the army chief of staff to go in front of elected officials and give that sort of speech, a speech I'd describe as political. The centrist bloc, though, believes the general's warning is legitimate. The job of the military is to enlighten us about the risks and prepare for the worst. So it's doing its job. The message, in any case, is struggling to make inroads with the French public. The government, meanwhile, has published a guide for a crisis, such as an external aggression or natural catastrophe. Among other things, it advises the French to keep an emergency kit, containing essentials like food, water and first aid, as well as a battery-powered radio.

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