The SNU Saga: A Droll Disposition on France’s Financial Farce
Ah, the French Parliament – where legislative decisions are made faster than you can say “voilà” and with all the grace of a giraffe on roller skates. Just the other day, in a spectacularly uncoordinated tango of politics, both the deputies and senators decided to toss the Universal National Service (that’s SNU for you acronym enthusiasts) into the proverbial trash bin. I suppose one man’s ‘commitment to youth’ is another man’s ‘let’s save some dough’!
Cutting Costs or Cutting Youth?
So, on Wednesday, in a display of coordination that would make a Goldfish look astute, members of both finance committees chimed in with similar amendments to abolish the SNU during the budget debates. We’ve got trimmed ranks in the presidential camp, like a barbershop on discount day, allowing the NFP folks to bring the axe down. Will these political maneuvers end up with heads rolling? Or just budgets? I guess we’ll find out soon.
“Isn’t this the time to make the president listen to reason?” — Mathilde Ollivier
Money Talks and Oh, How It Whispers!
Now, let’s talk numbers, shall we? Éric Jeansannetas, the socialist senator—one could say he’s the fairy godmother of youth credits—pushed for a smooth €100 million cut, assuring the room that the remaining €28 million will cover the slaughtered SNU’s funeral costs. Because let’s be honest, financial reform is like attending your friend’s funeral: you want to be there, but you’re secretly glad it’s not yours!
However, let’s not forget the Constitution waving its little flag of order. These changes are merely opinions “as valuable as a chocolate teapot,” unless they get paraded in public sessions again. Now, it’s like figuring out which passed exam will get you a job—a matter of survival of the fittest here!
Is SNU on Its Deathbed?
Many parliamentarians seem to think the SNU is akin to that out-of-style fashion trend that’s clung on for dear life. Originally championed by President Macron as a rite of passage for the youth, the plan was to expand the SNU, but its financial viability is now gathering dust. In fact, Gil Avérous, the Minister of Sports—seriously, how many ministers can one government fit?—acknowledged that the funds simply can’t stretch far enough to follow Macron’s dreams. I mean, it’s like trying to stuff a sleeping bag into a matchbox!
But Wait, There’s More!
Now, before you go feeling too chipper about the SNU’s impending doom, let me spin one last yarn. While the court of auditors has handed down its decrees as if they were divine commandments from some pot-bellied deity, claiming the program costs between €3.5 and €5 billion to expand, our lawmakers remain divided.
Here we stand on a precipice of decision! Will our lawmakers heed the cries from the bleachers? Or will they continue playing their marionette charade? Stay tuned, folks, because this isn’t just a budget crisis; it’s like watching a three-season drama unfold with no clear end in sight!
Conclusion: Should We Laugh or Cry?
To wrap this up, should we be laughing or crying? It’s hard to say! Politics, as usual, flounders like a fish out of water, making promises without the purse to back them up. Can we really blame the budget for wanting to cut out what isn’t working? At least we can all agree on one thing: watching this fail is way more entertaining than your Tuesday night sitcom!
And there you have it, folks! Grab your popcorn, keep your seats, and let’s see how this political drama turns out. Will SNU rise like a phoenix from the ashes, or will it be buried alongside those ‘sure-thing’ campaign promises? Who knows! In the world of French politics, anything is possible – just ask the chefs in the kitchen!
It seems that the two finance committees of Parliament had given themselves the word to deal the blow. On Wednesday, a few hours apart, deputies and senators adopted two amendments to abolish the Universal National Service (SNU), as part of the preparatory work for the examination of the “expenditure” section of the state budget. In the National Assembly, it was the thin ranks of the presidential camp which allowed NFP elected officials to vote for this suppression.
At the Luxembourg Palace, it was the socialist senator Éric Jeansannetas, author of a special report on Youth credits, who presented to his colleagues a proposal for a reduction of 100 million euros, ultimately adopted unanimously minus two abstentions, which amounts to turning off the device. “The remaining envelope of 28 million must be used to pay for the expenses inherent in the cessation of the SNU,” specifies the elected official to Public Senate.
Serial deletions
Remember, however, that the modifications made in committees to a finance bill only have the value of an opinion. The Constitution provides that only the text presented by the government be debated in public session in the National Assembly. The amendments which were adopted in committee are therefore presented again in the hemicycle.
As for the Upper House, it is still unclear which version of the text the senators will have to work on from November 25. Either the copy amended by the deputies, provided that they manage to vote on a budget. Or the government’s initial project if no text comes out of the Palais Bourbon. In which case, deletion amendments could multiply. “I intend to table one,” slips centrist senator Laurent Lafon, president of the committee on culture, education, communication and sport.
No generalization of the device
Is the Universal National Service experiencing its final hours? This system, desired by Emmanuel Macron, should in any case pay the price for the significant cost-saving measures deployed by the executive to restore public finances. To the point that its generalization, announced for 2026, is no longer relevant. But for the moment there is no question of considering the abolition of the SNU, assured Gil Avérous, the Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, during a hearing before the Senate on Wednesday evening. However, a large part of parliamentarians want to put an end to this costly campaign promise, which they believe has never achieved its objective.
The budget allocated to the SNU should increase from 160 million this year to 128 million euros in 2025. The system, designed for 80,000 volunteers in 2024, would only be able to support 66,000 in 2025. See only 40,000, if the hypothesis of an additional cut of 55 million euros on the sports and youth budget were to be confirmed. “The generalization announced for 2026 requires a financial commitment, today unattainable, in any case the 2025 credits will not allow us to go beyond what was done in 2024,” acknowledged Gil Avérous before the senators.
During this hearing, numerous speeches followed one another to demand the end of the SNU, in particular from the left: “Isn’t this the time to make the president listen to reason, to make him listen to reason? say stop, and redirect the funds to other programs? », notably launched the youngest member of the Senate, the ecologist Mathilde Ollivier. But the executive cites the success of the system with participants to justify its maintenance. A satisfaction rate of 90%, according to the minister, who nevertheless recognizes “that it is appropriate to question the format of the SNU, its outline and its cost”.
“We can see that it doesn’t work”
Last September the Court of Auditors issued a vitriolic report on this civil service, pointing out both the absence of budgetary management and the lack of “clear horizon”. The Sages of Rue Cambon estimate that the generalization of the SNU, which would ultimately concern 800,000 young people, would cost between 3.5 and 5 billion euros. For their part, parliamentarians regularly regret the absence of debate on this issue.
Largely inspired by military service, the SNU was launched in 2019 and still remains at the experimental stage. It is divided into three parts: a “two-week cohesion stay” for 15-17 year olds, focused on collective and cultural activities, followed by a twelve-day “general interest mission”. The third phase, optional this one, described as a “voluntary commitment of several months within a uniformed corps or an association”, can be carried out until the age of 25.
“What do we do with this hybrid tool? In addition, we know that it is not aimed specifically at young people who need it the most, but at fairly determined young people who are already in socialization dynamics,” summarized last week, at the microphone of Public Senate, Laurent Lafon. According to the Court of Auditors, 46% of volunteers in 2023 have military, police, gendarmerie or firefighter parents. “I have no systematic opposition to a system that creates social bonds, but here, we can clearly see that it does not work,” agrees Éric Jeansannetas. And to conclude: “We cannot stay in the experiment for six years…”
Shiv Nadar University assistant Professor interview
**Interview: The Future of SNU in French Politics**
**Interviewer:** Good day, everyone! Today, we’re delving into a rather entertaining political saga dominating the French Parliament: the recent moves to abolish the Universal National Service, or SNU. Joining us is Mathieu Dubois, a political analyst and commentator known for his sharp wit and keen insights into French governmental affairs. Welcome, Mathieu!
**Mathieu Dubois:** Thank you for having me! Always a pleasure to discuss the delightful chaos of French politics.
**Interviewer:** Let’s dive right in! So, it seems the SNU is facing some serious cuts. What exactly sparked this move?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Well, it appears the deputies and senators have found themselves in a financial pinch! During budget sessions, both finance committees banded together—like uncoordinated dance partners—to propose abolishing the SNU. It seems that saving some euros is more appealing than fostering youth engagement at the moment!
**Interviewer:** Indeed, but many saw the SNU as a rite of passage for youth. Do you think there’s more to this than just financial concerns?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Absolutely! Originally backed by President Macron, the SNU was meant to instill civic duty and social diversity among youth. However, as time has gone on, lawmakers are scrutinizing whether it’s financially feasible or even effective. It’s like watching a fashion trend cling to popularity long after its prime—eventually, something has to give.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of finances, we’ve heard figures ranging from €3.5 to €5 billion for expanding the SNU. Should we be surprised by these costs?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Not at all! That kind of expenditure is the stuff of budget nightmares. Politicians don’t want to fund something they perceive as extravagant, especially when there are more pressing concerns, like balancing national finances. As senator Éric Jeansannetas aptly put it, they’re now focusing on reducing the budget instead of expanding a program that barely hit the runway.
**Interviewer:** So, with the push for these budget cuts, does that mean the SNU is dead in the water?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Well, it’s on life support for sure! The proposed cuts make it clear that its generalization to a broader base, once projected for 2026, is now highly doubtful. The funding simply isn’t stretching far enough. We might witness a gradual phasing out rather than an outright abolition for now, thanks to some stubborn proponents in parliament who still see value in the program, despite the costs.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, what would be a better use of these funds instead of sinking them into the SNU?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Ah, if only the government would listen! Many are calling for a redirection of funds toward engaging youth through more effective means—like education, job training, or social inclusion initiatives. Programs that may yield better long-term results rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Just imagine the uproar if they managed to turn that €100 million into something transformative for the next generation!
**Interviewer:** can we expect any upcoming twists or turns in this drama?
**Mathieu Dubois:** Oh, you bet! This saga is far from concluded. With scheduled debates in the National Assembly and the Upper House, anything could happen! Expect passionate speeches, perhaps some theatrical performances, and definitely more division among the politicians. It’s like a French soap opera, you never know when someone might swoon or dramatically exit!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mathieu, for this engaging insight! We’ll be watching closely as this political drama unfolds.
**Mathieu Dubois:** My pleasure! Remember, in politics, it’s always a show, so grab your popcorn!
