Croatia reintroduces mandatory military conscription after 17 years

In response to rising international tensions and conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Croatian lawmakers have approved to reintroduce mandatory military service to strengthen the country’s defense.

A large majority of the parliament’s vote on Friday saw the passage of a law enacting the reinstatement.

Conscription was abolished in the nation in 2008, one year before it joined NATO, as part of a move to improve its military.

However, senior officials have since claimed that in order to bolster Croatia’s defense forces, international tensions warrant the restoration of fundamental military training.

Ivan Anusic, a member of the ruling conservative HDZ party, told the lawmakers this week, “We are seeing a rise in various types of threats… that require swift and effective action from the broader community.”

“Defending the country is essential in the face of any threat.”

As men reach the age of 18, 000 would be enlisted each year for two months of training. The initiative is anticipated to begin in 2014.

Conscientious objectors will be able to serve three or four months in civil service positions, including those on disaster response teams, while women will not.

Many congratulate decisions

To allow the change, two laws were amended by the deputy. The 151-seat assembly’s 84 deputies voted in favor of new defense laws, while 110 voted against changing the armed forces service law.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine three years ago, Anusic’s department has been making more efforts to address potential problems.

The Defense Ministry also wants Croatia to be better prepared for “increasing natural disasters” and other crises involving more soldiers, according to the Ministry of Defense.

People in Zagreb who spoke to the AFP news agency on the streets of the country generally applauded the decision after the election.

Luka Budiselic, a 23-year-old student, said, “The army would provide more structure by getting up early, using less of our phones, and learning things that are crucial for survival, like survival skills.”

Manuela Skoblar, 51, who has two sons among her four children, claimed general military training could “ground them a little, help them grow up, and accept life as it is really” for young people.

Regular conscripts will receive 1,100 euros ($1, 280) per month, compared to those working in the alternative civil service, which is still undetermined, but reports suggested it could be significantly lower.

After their service, military conscripts will benefit from having a chance to apply for positions at public and private institutions.

Women and those who chose civil protection were denied equal pay by the law, according to left-wingers, because they would receive lower wages and receive no benefits like those who worked for the government.