Croatia restores compulsory military service - Law passed. Service includes two-month training for young men
Croatia's parliament voted to reinstate compulsory military service, as tensions have risen in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Lawmakers approved the legal changes by 84 votes in favor, 11 against and 30 abstentions in the 151-member parliament. The service will last two months and will provide “basic military training,” public broadcaster HRT reported.
The decision marks the return of compulsory military service, which was suspended in 2008 when the country switched to a voluntary system. The Defense Ministry said the goal is to teach young people the basic skills and knowledge that are “necessary in crisis situations, in order to contribute to national security.”
Authorities will begin calling up conscripts born in 2007 for medical checkups by the end of the year. Conscripts will receive a salary, and those who refuse military service for reasons of conscience can choose civilian service instead.
Croatia is continuing to increase its armed forces at a time when many European countries are currently discussing or reforming their military service policies.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the debate over compulsory service has returned to the continent, with many countries considering whether conscription could strengthen their national security.
In 2015, Lithuania partially reinstated conscription, and Norway became the first European country to introduce compulsory military service for women. Two years later, Sweden reactivated conscription. France began testing Universal National Service in 2019.
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