Due to the war in Ukraine, the Latvian authorities decided to restore the universal military service in the country, which was in effect then.
Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the introduction of compulsory military service for men aged 18 to 27 and voluntary service for women of the same age. On Tuesday, September 6, LSM reports.
As Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said at a press conference, two waves of conscription will take place in 2023 – in January and July, during which approximately 1,000 Latvians are expected to be recruited for military service.
The first draft, in January, will still be held on a voluntary basis, while July will be mandatory.
Conscripts will have the opportunity to enlist in the army or serve in the National Guard for 20 days a year for five years. They will also have access to the platoon leader course and alternative service. According to the new rules, Latvian conscripts will remain in the army for one year: 11 months of service will last, another month – vacation. On weekends, the conscripts could stay at home, the remaining five days they were required to stay in the barracks.
Universal conscription existed in the country before: the Supreme Council of Latvia adopted a law on compulsory military service in September 1991. According to this law, all citizens between the ages of 19 and 50 are required to serve in the army . The first conscription took place in April 1992, the last – at the end of November 2006, and in 2007 the universal service was abolished.
Remember, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Anna Malyar said that the legislative norms, according to which the registration of women for military registration is voluntary.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.