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LeMonde
14-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Macron sounds alarm over growing threats and calls for new boost in military budget 'to remain free'
French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech marked by particular seriousness in his traditional address to the armed forces on Sunday, July 13, held as every year in the gardens of the Hôtel de Brienne in Paris on the eve of Bastille Day. The address was largely devoted to the worsening geopolitical situation and, in announcements long awaited by the country's military institution, confirmed a new increase for the defense budget. "Never since 1945 has freedom been under such a threat," the president declared twice before an audience of senior officers and Ministry of the Armed Forces officials. "We are plunging back into years that make history," he added. "Our Europe is now on the verge of a vast arc of crises (...) We Europeans now have to ensure our security on our own." But Macron also warned, "to be free in this world, you must be feared, and to be feared, you must be powerful." The lengthy prelude led the president to the heart of his message: further expanding the defense budget despite significant pressure on public finances. "In these predatory times, we cannot afford to stand still. We have an advantage for now, but if we do not pick up the pace, we will be overtaken tomorrow," he explained, referring to the major investments made in the armed forces since he came to power in 2017, after years of budget cuts. The military budget now stands at €50.5 billion, compared to €32 billion in 2017.
El Chorouk
09-07-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
More French Funds and Compensation For Harkis and Their Families
In a new step within its ongoing compensation policy, the French government has decided to expand the list of structures eligible for compensation for the harkis and their families, including 37 new sites that were used to house these collaborators with the French colonial army after Algeria's independence. This decision will open the door to further financial compensation for a large number of Harkis and their families. These developments were revealed in an official response from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, dated July 8, 2025, reviewed by Echorouk, in response to a written question from Anthony Brosse, a member of the French National Assembly (the lower house of parliament), representing the 'Together for the Republic' bloc, which he had addressed to the government on May 27, 2025. This decision falls within the framework of implementing the February 23, 2022, law, which enshrined what Paris calls 'the French nation's recognition of the Harkis.' According to the official response from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, a special national commission (CNIH) identified the new locations. It recommended their inclusion among the structures where residents between 1962 and 1975 were considered victims of 'inhumane conditions.' Despite decades having passed since that period, French authorities are still reviewing the lists of structures and those concerned, which suggests the possibility of further expansion in the future. In its response, the French government refused to amend the legally set date for eligibility for the compensation system, asserting that the period from March 20, 1962, to December 31, 1975, represents the final timeframe for recognising and compensating damages. It also emphasised that the decision to close these structures was officially taken during a Cabinet meeting on August 6, 1975. Therefore, any residency after that date, even if extended for years, does not entitle one to additional compensation. Regarding the opening of the compensation system for the families of deceased Harkis before the law comes into effect in 2023, the Ministry of the Armed Forces confirmed that the government does not intend to review this point. Regarding the list of structures, the government explained that the Independent National Commission for Harkis completed a new inventory in 2025, which resulted in the inclusion of 37 new sites on the official list of eligible structures, after they met the conditions for 'unsettled accommodation.' The government noted that the French Prime Minister approved this expansion, while maintaining the possibility of adding additional sites in the future, based on reports from the commission, which continues its field work.
