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The Croatian parliament voted on Friday, October 24, to reinstate compulsory military service to strengthen Croatia's defense capabilities, amid growing global threats and the war in Ukraine.
Zagreb abolished compulsory military service in 2008, a year before joining NATO, focusing on professionalizing the military.
However, Croatian leaders stressed that the current geopolitical situation required the restoration of basic military training to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
"Responsibility and efficiency"
"We are witnessing an increase in various types of threats, which requires a response and effectiveness from the community as a whole," Defense Minister Ivan Anusic of the ruling conservative HDZ party told lawmakers this week.
"In the face of any threat, the defense of the country is vital," he said.
About 18,000 young men will be called up each year to attend a two-month training program from the age of 18, starting in early 2026. Women will be exempt, while conscientious objectors will have the option to perform three or four months of civilian service, including as part of teams mobilized to respond to natural disasters. To pass the measure, lawmakers amended two laws.
A total of 84 MPs (out of 151 seats in parliament) approved amendments to the Defense Law, while 110 amended the Armed Forces Service Law.
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