Compulsory military service? Parties say “no”, CEMGFA suggests civic service | Defense

In recent days, the debate about the possible return of compulsory military service (SMO) has gained strength in Portugal, after Admiral Gouveia e Melo took a position. There is no consensus between parties, military associations, nor within the Armed Forces themselves, but the parties seem to lean towards a “no”. The General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGFA), headed by General Nunes da Fonseca, considers that the reintroduction of the SMO does not “solve the challenges of managing the Armed Forces’ personnel”, but admits that it could be useful.

“The eventual reintroduction of compulsory military service should not be seen in a reductive logic of resolving the shortage of personnel, but through a comprehensive approach to creating a provision of national and universal service of a civic nature”, justified the EMGFA statement, demanding the “maintenance of human resources at adequate levels of sustainability and stability” in the Armed Forces and calling for the valorization of military careers.

Among party leaders, Mariana Mortágua spoke out against the return of compulsory military service, claiming that “there is no consensus” or expressed will by the main political forces that motivates this decision. “The Left Bloc rules out this possibility”, she stressed, in a press conference from the party’s headquarters.

The Liberal Initiative reacted on Monday night, making clear the “no to mandatory military service”. “In 2024, in a consolidated democracy like Portugal, it is ethically unacceptable that, through state coercion, young people are forced to give up their autonomy and individual freedom to serve the State under the conditions and values ​​that the same State understands as appropriate”, reads a statement released on social media. “Entry into the Armed Forces is either voluntary or unacceptable.”

Chega’s president, André Ventura, admitted that the issue “deserves to be studied”, regarding its impact on the Armed Forces and in “articulation with youth”, and that it would require a “great national consensus”. “Young people understand that the international context has changed and that the country cannot live without self-sufficient and firm Armed Forces”, he said, in statements broadcast by RTP3. “The ideal would be for it not to be mandatory”, but for Portugal to have “the capacity to generate enthusiastic volunteers who would fill vacancies in the Armed Forces with decent remuneration conditions”.

Still in the electoral campaign for the legislative elections, Luís Montenegro, president of the PSD and now appointed prime minister, stated that the Social Democrats were not considering the return of the SMO, but rather “a system of incentives” for recruitment.

Pedro Nuno Santos, secretary general of the PS, also rejected the return of mandatory military service, preferring to focus on enhancing the military career.

The eventual return of compulsory military service was defended in recent days by the Chiefs of Staff of the Navy and Army, Henrique Gouveia e Melo and Eduardo Ferrão, respectively.