Criticized by some political leaders after saying, at a congress of French mayors, that it was necessary “accepting the loss of your children” Facing the possibility of war with Russia, TNI Chief of Staff Fabien Mandon confirmed his comments on Saturday 22 November.
“I realize the extent of some people’s concerns”said the general in the program “C à vous” on France 5. But “the role of this intervention” is “to be alert and prepared”clearly, because “the context is deteriorating rapidly” And “it seems important to me to share these observations with the mayor”.
On Tuesday, before a congress of French mayors, the general – in line with equally worrying speeches from his European counterparts – deemed it necessary for the country to restore its economy. “the strength of the soul to accept self-harm to protect ourselves” and be ready for it “accepting the loss of your children”in an increasingly tense international context.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France insoumise, immediately expressed his opinion “total disagreement” following a speech delivered by Mr Mandon. “It is not within his authority to invite the mayor or anyone else to preparations for a war that no one has decided on”he taunted X.
A sentence taken “out of context to scare”, according to Emmanuel Macron
“NO! 51,000 war memorials in our communities, isn’t that enough? Yes for national defense, but not for unbearable war speeches! »for his part, thundered French Communist Party boss Fabien Roussel. On the National Rally side, for the vice president of the National Assembly, Sébastien Chenu, General Fabien Mandon has none “legitimacy” to make this statement and he denounced “a mistake” on his part.
The TNI Chief of Staff received support from the President of the Republic on Saturday. Traveling to Johannesburg for the G20 Summit. “He has my complete confidence (…) I know exactly what he means, taking a sentence and taking it out of context to scare people.”Emmanuel Macron estimates. Thursday, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin also expressed regret “taken out of context for political purposes”. For ministers, this “is the military language of a leader who, every day, knows that young soldiers risk their lives for the sake of the Country.”
In two trials, before the defense committees of the National Assembly and Senate, on October 22 and November 5, General Fabien Mandon has made worrying statements against the backdrop of the Russian threat. “Russia cannot scare us, if we want to defend ourselves”he told the deputies, warning of the fact that they might be ready to attack NATO “in three or four years”.
