France's armed forces chief resigns after clash with Macron over budget cuts

[ucrdem]

Source: Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - France's armed forces chief resigned on Wednesday in a dispute with Emmanuel Macron over defense budget cuts, an early test of the newly elected president's mettle and the tough presidential style he is cultivating.

In a statement, 60 year-old Pierre de Villiers said he had tried to keep the armed forces fit for an ever more difficult task within the financial constraints imposed on it, but was no longer able to sustain that.

"In the current circumstances I see myself as no longer able to guarantee the robust defense force I believe is necessary to guarantee the protection of France and the French people, today and tomorrow, and to sustain the aims of our country," he said.

Macron moved quickly to replace de Villiers, appointing General Francois Lecointre, 55, to fill the role, a military source said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-politics-defence-idUSKBN1A40KR

[NobodyHere]

1. So France has no intention of upholding it's NATO obligations?

[Sunlei]

4. could have done a trump, cut loose the dogs of war-let them suck dry ALL country money for 'war game

kill thousands of civies, slaughter moms holding their infants, group-up with countries who love to flatten city blocks and hospitals full of children.

[sandensea]

2. Vive la difference

These are still lean times for Europe. Not much room in the budget for more Dassault jets.

[Sunlei]

3. kind of typical when a new Presie comes in the military leadership changes.