Leader Vucic endorses the resumption of compulsory military service in Serbia.
Serbian Leader Aleksandar Vucic Endorses Military Draft Resurgence, Scrapped in 2011. Acting as the Armed Forces' Chief Commander, he signed off on a 75-day obligatory military service for males, mentioning this during an inauguration event for military officers in Belgrade. Females remain allowed to enlist voluntarily.
Vucic emphasized the importance of a robust army and the need for Serbia to stockpile and develop more weaponry. "We harbor no intentions to attack anyone. However, we wish to discourage every entity that poses a constant danger to us," he stated, without providing details on who he perceives as a menace.
The government is yet to formally endorse the draft, but given Prime Minister Milos Vucevic's loyalty to the president and his support for the military draft, its approval appears imminent. Earlier in the year, the Serbian military leadership had advocated for a potential four-month mandatory service.
In late August, Vucic brought up the need to meticulously consider the duration of the draft. He suggested it should not extend too much, lest more young men opt to leave the nation. Similar to other Balkan nations, Serbia grapples with substantial emigration, predominantly among its younger and more dynamic populace.
The European Union might express concern over Serbia's resurgence of the military draft, given its historical stance on compulsory military service. Prime Minister Milos Vucevic's expected approval of the draft further strengthens the European Union's potential intervention, considering its influence in shaping Serbia's military policies.
