French army chief resigns

(Baonghean.vn)- On July 19, Chief of the General Staff of the French armed forces, General Pierre de Villiers, resigned. This move came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized him for opposing the proposal to cut the defense budget.

In a statement, General de Villiers, 60, said he no longer felt capable of commanding the armed forces that he said were necessary to ensure the safety of France and its people.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chief of the General Staff of the French armed forces, General Pierre de Villiers, argued over proposed cuts to the defense budget. Photo: AP

The rift between President Macron and General de Villiers erupted last week when the head of the French army told a parliamentary committee that he would not allow the armed forces to be “downsized” with plans to cut 850 million euros ($980 million) from the budget.

President Macron then responded: "I am the leader", and emphasized that if there is a difference of opinion, "it is the head of the army who has to change his position".

The row has sparked debate over whether 39-year-old President Macron has humiliated the head of the army, or whether the French leader had no choice but to impose his authority just two months after taking office./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)