Pierre de Villiers

Pierre François Marie Le Jolis de Villiers de Saintignon (born 26 July 1956), known as Pierre de Villiers , is a retired French Army general who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2014 to 2017.

Following a disagreement on policy orientations with newly-elected President Emmanuel Macron, commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces, he tendered his resignation, a first under the Fifth Republic. Since his retirement from active service de Villiers has published a number of essays on geopolitics.

His brother, politician Philippe de Villiers, was twice a presidential candidate.

Biography House of Le Jolis de Villiers

Pierre Le Jolis de Villiers de Saintignon is a member of the House of Le Jolis de Villiers established in the 16th century. His brother is the French politician Philippe de Villiers.

Early military career 20th century After two years of preparatory corniche at Prytanée National Militaire, Pierre de Villiers was admitted to the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1975, promotion Captain Henri Guilleminot . He entered at the end of his scholarity the Armoured Cavalry Arm and joined the Saumur Cavalry School within his specialty, promotion Lieutenant Charles de Foucauld. He was a section platoon chief of AMX-30 tanks at the 2nd Dragoon Regiment in 1978.

Between 1979 and 1987 Pierre de Villiers served in the 4th Dragoon Regiment, which also housed a platoon of AMX-30 tanks. He commanded a divisionary reconnaissance squadron of the 7th Armoured Division. a function which he occupied until March 2010, date in which he was replaced by Bernard de Courrèges d'Ustou . By decree on 11 March 2010, he was nominated to the functions of Major General of the Armed Forces at the general staff headquarters of the armed forces.

Chief of the Defence Staff De Villiers was appointed on 15 February 2014 Chief of the Defence Staff succeeding Admiral Édouard Guillaud. Charged with attacks against the Islamic State after the November 2015 Paris attacks, he judged that the necessary military attacks against this entity can only but guarantee peace and security, by recalling the comfort means of the French Armed Forces.

He coordinated the exterior operations of Operation Barkhane in Sahel, Operation Sangaris in Central African Republic and Operation Chammal in Syria and in Iraq. He was also equally in charge of the interior natured anti-terrorist operation, Opération Sentinelle.

General Pierre de Villiers with President Macron at the Élysée Palace during a meeting with US President Trump, 13 July 2017. Pierre de Villiers with US General Martin E. Dempsey, on 18 September 2014

The French Foreign Legion, on 30 April 2015, commemorated their 152nd anniversary of Camarón in presence of Chief of the Defence Staff Pierre de Villiers. Commemorating also the 70th Liberation Anniversary, General Pierre de Villiers declared that "commemorating Camerone is commemorating the courage, the cult of the mission, the respect of senior veterans, giving the youth a formidable message of hope for the future", while also adding that "honour and fidelity are always values which gather". This would allow France to meet the NATO defense spending requirements which at the time were only met by the United States, Greece, United Kingdom, Estonia and Poland.

In March 2017, Pierre de Villiers again expressed support for increasing the defence budget to 2% of GDP by 2022 - an increase of about three billion euros per year. Emmanuel Macron announced a promise to increase the defence budget to 2% by 2025 and Marine Le Pen announced in Lyon that she wishes to see the defence budget increased to 3% of GDP in order to build a new aircraft carrier, recruit 50,000 new military personnel, and progressively reintroduce compulsory military service, starting with a 3-month commitment.

Criticism of Macron and resignation

On 11 July 2017, Minister of Public Action and Accounts Gérald Darmanin announced that part of the government's plan to reduce spending, the military were going to be cut by 850 million euros in 2017. The following day, Le Monde reported that de Villiers met with the Defence Committee in the National Assembly and told them "I will not get fucked over like this". The conversation was caught on tape and leaked by Le Monde. Also, accordingly to Le Figaro, de Villiers unleashed his fury, and added monumentally "I can no longer look my guys in the eyes if we reduce our means further".

General Pierre de Villiers with General Joseph Dunford at Washington, DC (13 July 2017). Emmanuel Macron, during a speech to the armed forces on 13 July 2017 in which he famously said "I am the boss", affirmed his plan to raise the defence budget to 2% of GDP by 2025. During the speech, Macron publicly called out de Villiers numerous times, addressing the recent leak reported by Le Monde. During Bastille Day military parade, General de Villiers and President Macron, as customary for the Chief and Commander-in-Chief of the French Armed Forces, rode together standing side by side in the same vehicle during the ceremonial parade.

General Pierre de Villiers receives the Legion of Merit as the United States Navy Ceremonial Band stands at attention (6 February 2017). Following the Bastille Day parade, de Villiers posted on Facebook a criticism of the government's plans to reduce defence spending. Le Journal du Dimanche reported on 16 July 2017 that Macron was possibly looking to replace de Villiers stating "The Republic doesn't work like this". Macron then went on to say that he has confidence in de Villiers. A press release was issued on francetvinfo's website. On the same day, Macron confirmed army general François Lecointre as de Villiers's replacement. Macron described de Villiers's behaviour surrounding his resignation as "undignified".

While de Villiers was leaving the Ministry of the Armed Forces, a crowd of soldiers and military personnel applauded him.

In retirement Following his resignation, speculation arose that he might enter politics: polling in 2020 found that 20% of French voters might have supported him in the 2022 presidential election.

Military ranks

Pierre de Villiers is an Honorary Caporal (bestowed) of the Troupes de marine (2014).

Publications Servir (Paris: ed. Fayard, 2017) Qu'est-ce-qu'un chef ? (Paris: ed. Fayard, 2018) L'équilibre est un courage (Paris: ed. Fayard, 2020) Paroles d'honneur (Paris: ed. Fayard, 2022)