Countries in Europe are beginning to consider the resurgence of compulsory military service

The return of compulsory military service is being discussed in some European countries, such as Germany, Croatia, Romania and the Netherlands. In the Czech Republic, the reintroduction of the measure has even been proposed.

Europe has 16 countries with compulsory military service, some of which are Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Switzerland and Greece.

In Denmark, compulsory recruitment has been extended to women in recent months, with military service now being mandatory for men over 18 years of age.

The measure is being considered and gaining more supporters due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the enlargement of NATO.

At a time of growing international insecurity, in which the Armed Forces suffer from an acute shortage of personnel, Portugal is also beginning to investigate this hypothesis.

The reintroduction of the measure in Portugal

In a text published in E magazineAdmiral Gouveia e Melo also reinforced the reintroduction of compulsory military service in Portugal.

In the opinion of the Chief of Staff of the Navy (CEMA) “reconsider the SMO or another more appropriate variant it could be a necessary measure not only to balance the expenditure/results ratio, but also to generate greater availability of the population for Defense”.

Gouveia e Melo was joined by the Chief of Staff of the Army (CEME), General Eduardo Ferrão, who in interview with Expresso understand that “a reintroduction of the SMO justifies being studied and evaluated from several perspectives”.

In the general’s opinion, “passing through the ranks is equivalent to attending a citizenship school”, contributing “for the development of a culture of National Defense” and “raising awareness among young people” for these areas.