E. Europe Eyes Conscription Amid Russia Threat
WARSAW — Eastern European countries are increasingly moving to restore conscription as a result of their rising concern over Russia's military activities in the region.
Most recently, Lithuania unveiled plans to reinstate conscription this year in response to Moscow's intervention in Ukraine. The Lithuanian Parliament passed a bill March 19, following a legislative proposal put forward by the country's government, by a majority of 112 out of 141 ministers. The measure will be effective for at least five years, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said in a statement...........
Lithuania scrapped conscription in 2008. Neighboring Estonia has maintained it, while the government of Latvia has been considering a draft to increase its military numbers. Meanwhile, local analysts say that since 2008, Lithuanian politicians have been increasingly worried by Russia's military policy in Eastern Europe.....
Also in the Czech Republic, the Defense Ministry announced plans to reinstate conscription, and is drafting a bill with this aim. Should the draft law enter into force, conscription will become obligatory for men and women above the age of 18........ Should the draft bill secure the backing of the Czech Parliament, the first call for conscripts would take place in 2017. In addition to this, the ministry is also aiming to introduce voluntary military training in peacetime........
In Poland, where conscription was scrapped by the government in 2009, the government has not announced a return to conscription, although the conflict in Ukraine has spurred increased focus on national defense capabilities by local decision-makers. However, the latest opinion polls indicate that popular support for conscription is rising quickly.......... This month, 80 percent of those polled said they were in favor of re-introducing conscription in Poland, which represented an 8 percent increase compared with November, according to data from local opinion research institute IBRiS Homo Homini............
With the upcoming parliamentary election in Poland scheduled for fall, and representatives of the country's leading opposition party, Law and Justice, announcing they will restore conscription in case of their victory, the new government could opt for following the public opinion, joining the ranks of Lithuania and the Czech Republic, according to various media reports.