The Croatian Parliament yesterday, by a majority of votes, amended the laws on defense and service in the armed forces, thereby making possible the reintroduction of mandatory military service from the beginning of next year.
84 deputies voted for the amendments to the laws, 30 abstained, and 11 were against. Of the parliamentary parties, only the green-left party “We Can!” explicitly declared itself against the introduction of mandatory military service.
Mandatory military service in Croatia was abolished in 2008, and since then, military service has been only voluntary, but interest has been low.
The amendments to the laws foresee that mandatory military service lasts two months, that those who respond will receive a monthly net salary of 1.100 euros from the state, and that their service will count towards work experience.
Military training will be mandatory for young men in the calendar year in which they turn 19, and their training is planned to take place in barracks in Knin, Slunj, and Pozega.
Those older than 19 years, up to 30 years of age, can also be sent to military training, because service can be postponed in the case of studying and for athletes due to participation in world and European championships.
Persons who serve mandatory military service will have an advantage when applying for jobs in state and local administration bodies, if they have the same conditions as another candidate, which caused the most criticism from the opposition and peace organizations.
Women are exempt from serving mandatory military service, but they can apply voluntarily.
The law foresees civilian service of military duty for those who express conscientious objection, in the Civil Protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or in local units in their place of residence.
Training through Civil Protection would last three months continuously, every day, and service in local units on jobs of fire protection and civil protection, environmental maintenance, or maintenance of public roads, four months through five working days for eight hours.
Those who opt for civilian service will receive a smaller allowance, and the decision on that will be made by the Government.
Presenting the amendments to the laws in Parliament this week, Minister of Defense Ivan Anusic from the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) said that annual military training will cost close to 23.7 million euros – for salaries of 4.000 soldiers, clothing and footwear, and for their food.
Anusic expressed the expectation that five classes, with 800 soldiers per class, will be sent annually to serve military service.
The return of mandatory military service has been discussed in the Croatian public since the beginning of last year, and one of the biggest advocates of such a solution was the Minister of Defense.
He announced several times the beginning of mandatory military service, but there was no agreement with the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, who said several times that this should be discussed long and seriously at the highest level, N1 writes.
