Macron appoints new chief of the General Staff of the armed forces
This decision had been anticipated, as General Burkhard, 60, had already received a one-year extension in 2024 – a rare exception, as serving for more than four years in this role is uncommon. "Thank you (...) for serving France with honor, courage and vision," Macron wrote on X. The president also confirmed the appointment of Army Corps General Vincent Giraud to replace General Mandon as personal military chief of staff. General Giraud had served as deputy chief of the armed forces for the past year and was expected to secure a prominent role in this carefully orchestrated transfer of responsibilities.
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