Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service
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Food for thought 07-2019 Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service Written by AN EXPERTISE FORUM CONTRIBUTING TO EUROPEAN CONTRIBUTING TO FORUM AN EXPERTISE SINCE 1953 ARMIES INTEROPERABILITY European Army Interoperability Center Joeri Rongé and Giulia Abrate This paper was drawn up by Joeri Rongé and Giulia Abrate, under the supervision and guidance of the Director of the Permanent Secretariat, Mr. Mario Blokken. This Food for Thought paper is a document that gives an initial reflection on the theme. The content is not reflecting the positions of the member states, but consists of elements that can initiate and feed the discussions and analyses in the domain of the theme. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Part one: The concept of conscription and the EU’ situation 4 Part two: The relevance of universal conscription 10 Promoting equality between genders and social-economic statuses 11 Economic results 12 The efficiency of armies 13 Part three: Conscription in the changing nature of war 15 Part four: The way forward, the European Union Service 20 The “European Security and Defence Studies” 21 The “EU Military Service” 22 The European Voluntary Service 25 Conclusion 27 Bibliography 28 Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service 2 INTRODUCTION During the 19th and 20th centuries, most Secondly, the paper will delineate the argu- countries, whether authoritarian or not, en- ments in favour and against conscription. visaged conscription in order to involve the Having a global vision of the advantages and citizenry in their armies. These centuries disadvantages of the draft can help to under- were a stage for copious conflicts and nations stand the relevance of the practice in a con- needed to ensure their protection at all times. temporary European environment. As will be Since the end of the Second World War, and shown in the first section of the paper, there even more so after the end of the Cold War, are indeed some European countries contem- a majority of democratic countries began to plating or already reintroducing the draft. For abolish, formally or informally, their con- such countries it is fundamental to consider scription systems which seemed unnecessary all the relevant aspects before taking such a in peaceful times. Between 1990 and 2013, decision. 24 current European Union countries de- cided to abandon the draft. In the past few The third section of the paper tries to outline years however, especially since the Ukrainian alternative models that can improve the con- crisis, there has been a resurgence of debate scription system, taking examples from out- on conscription in Europe, and Ukraine and side the EU. Again this is particularly relevant Lithuania have reintroducing it. Meanwhile, to give advice to countries which are think- other Eastern, but also Northern and Western ing about reintroducing the draft. Generally European countries, have begun to debate the speaking, countries are realising that universal possibility of reintroducing conscription. conscription has lost its relevance, but that some of its benefits should be retained. Fur- While the concept of conscription can be seen thermore, military conscription can be cou- as straightforward, multiples aspects have to pled with other options such as civil service, be considered when tackling the topic. There- resilience training, or defence education. fore, this paper aims to provide relevant in- formation to shape the resurging conscription The paper concludes with a proposition for debate. For that reason, the research paper an EU Service model. While it might be diffi- will not exclusively state European countries cult to implement such a model at the current positions related to conscription, but instead time, it provides something to think about. will be presenting various aspects of ‘the draft’. The EU has been speaking of European de- fence for decades and the suggested model The first section tries to tackle the question of could bring the advantage of spurring a com- the EU today. Where do EU countries stand mon feeling of defence. on the conscription debate? Are we facing a revival of military services? What are the com- monalities between the countries reactivating or willing to reactivate the draft? What is the rationale behind such decisions? Answering these questions is fundamental to understand- ing current trends. Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service 3 PART 1: THE CONCEPT OF CONSCRIPTION AND THE EU SITUATION Before exploring conscription within Europe- European Union countries envisage a civilian an Union’s armies, a brief explanation of the service. This alternative allows conscripted different facets of the theme should be a start- citizens to serve their nations without being ing point. Conscription, also known simply involved in the army. The option, however, is as “the draft”, is the mandatory enlistment of only available in case of conscientious objec- people in their national armed forces. tion, namely when a citizen claims the right to refuse to take part in military service for While thousands of years ago in Mesopota- specific reasons (e.g. religious, health, ideo- mia, “the draft” was already a reality, in mod- logical motives etc.). ern Europe, this practical way of enrolment became popular after the French Revolution. One last point to stress is that the majority of Since the 1790s, many European countries EU countries that abandoned conscription can have followed the French example. This first still legally reintroduce it during war periods. version of conscription focused on young In these countries the legal status of the draft males enrollment in national armies. This has not been modified. Conscription was sus- appeared to be efficient in order to increase pended but the governments still has the right national armed forces and have mass armies to conscript their citizens if needed. While the at their disposal. During these belligerent suspension concretely means that young citi- decades, the recruiting and training of troops zens are no longer forced to serve in the mili- in peacetime gave countries the advantage of tary, it leaves power of decision in the hands of having efficient and prepared forces, before governments and, given the current debate on war was declared. conscription, it can allow them to easily rein- troduce it. Some countries, however, decided Today, most European Union countries have to fully abolish conscription. They erased or abandoned or abolished conscription and modified their national legislations or consti- where conscription is still in place, it normally tutions and, in order to reintroduce the draft, includes alternatives to military service. Most they would have to modify them once more. TABLE 1: Conscription in the EU MS (as of July 2019). End of Country Conscription today Reactivation Gender conscription Yes. Re-confirmed during the 2013 Males are obliged Austria referendum. 6 months of Military by law Service or 9 months of Civil Service for conscientious objectors No. Abolished with the modification Belgium to the 1962 Law on Conscription. 1992 Conscription is only possible in wartime Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service 4 No. Bulgaria Abolished by the amendment to 2008 the Defence and Armed Forces Act No. Suspended in 2008 by a Croatia 2008 governmental decision, but remains in law Yes. Compulsory Military Service Males are obliged Cyprus according to the 1964 National by law Guard Law, lasts 24 months No. Abolished by the amendment to Czech the Military Act. Can be reintro- 2004 Republic duced in situation of threat or in wartime Yes. Males are obliged As stated in the Danish Denmark by law. Women may Constitution and the Danish participate Law of Conscription Yes. Males are obliged The constitution states for by law. The Defence Military Service of 8 or 11 months Forces Service Estonia Act of 2013 states that women can participate Yes. Military or Non-Military Service Males are obliged for conscientious objectors Finland by law. Women can Military service can last 5.5, 8.5 or volunteer 11.5 months. Non-Military Service lasts 11.5 months No. Suspended according to the law France 97-1019 of 1997. The law itself 1996 envisages the reintroduction when needed to defend the nation No. Suspended by a parliamentary Germany decision. It remains in the 2011 constitution and it can be reintroduced at any time Yes. The constitution demands military service. 9 months in the army Males are obliged Greece or 12 in the Navy. 15 months by law Alternative Civilian Service in case of conscientious objection Conscription in the European Union Armed Forces: National Trends, Benefits and EU Modernised Service 5 No. Abolished in peacetime by the Hungary amendment to the constitution 2004 in 2004. It can be reinstituted in times of emergency No. Italy 2005 Suspended by the law 4233-B No.1 Officially, Ireland never had conscription. According to article Ireland 54 of the 1954 Defence Act, during emergencies it is possible to conscript men No. However, Latvia introduces a new Latvia 2007 kind of project, called “Total De- fence”2 in 2017 Yes. Males are obliged Lithuania 9 months for males aged between 2008 2015 by law 19 and 26 years old No. Luxembourg 1967 Abolished by law in 1967 No. Malta Conscription never existed in Malta No. Suspended, but the law on con- scription still exists. At the age Nether- of 17, all citizens receive a letter 1996 lands* stating they have been registered for service. They can be called up in case of war No. Poland Abolished through amendment to 2009 the constitution No. Portugal Abolished in peacetime according 2004 to law 174/99 No. Suspended in peacetimes by the Romania 2007 law 395/2005.