French army chief resigns after blistering spat with Macron

France’s most senior military chief has resigned after his blistering spat with the newly elected French president Emmanuel Macron over the army chief’s suggestions that he can’t guarantee the protection of France if President Macron’s proposed budget cuts are implemented. President Macron has announced that he seeks to cut French spending by €60 billion over the next five years, among which €850 million will be borne by the military this year alone.

The resignation of the army chief shows that Macron’s plan will face heavy pressure within his own government and military forces. Resigned chief General Pierre de Villiers said in a statement, ““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”.

After the cutbacks were announced earlier this month, the general said in a parliamentary committee hearing, “I may be stupid, but I know when I’m being had”. In a response to General’s remarks, President Macron said, “If something opposes the military chief of staff and the president, the military chief of staff goes.” After the war of words with the general, Mr. Macron announced a €1.5bn rise in military spending in 2018 in an apparent attempt to ease tensions with the military. President Macron faces a tough challenge in balancing the budget as he needs to cut spending by €9 billion to meet the EU target of 3 percent budget deficit.