"The new year is bringing an old challenge in a fresh guise for the young men of Croatia. In the first days of 2026, around 1,200 of them have been receiving letters informing them that they are being called up for two months of military service. They are the first generation to face conscription since it was scrapped in 2008, the year before Croatia joined NATO. At that time, the idea was to professionalize the armed forces and move away from mandatory national service. Now, with only Hungary separating Croatia from Ukraine, the prospect of armed conflict feels a little too close for comfort. Croatia's Defense Minister Ivan Anusic said the resumption of conscription after 17 years is a response to 'a rise in various types of threats'Image: Nicolas Tucat/AFP A stray drone probably Ukrainian but never officially identified crashed in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, in 2022. It did not do much in the way of damage but it certainly concentrated minds."
"Croatia's government became uncomfortably aware that it could rely on fewer than 15,000 active military personnel. Ahead of parliamentary elections in 2024, it proposed reinstating national service for male school-leavers. Defense minister Ivan Anusic said it would help young men change "bad habits" and prepare them for "any major threat." Polls indicated broad support for the idea, with seven out of ten Croatians in favor. Voters duly re-elected the HDZ party, which has now put the policy into practice. The required legislation breezed through parliament last October, with 84 MPs voting in favor and just 11 against."
Conscription was abolished in 2008 as part of a move to professionalize the armed forces before NATO accession. Rising security concerns near Ukraine and a 2022 drone incident in Zagreb prompted reassessment of military capacity. The government found active personnel numbers below 15,000 and proposed mandatory service for male school-leavers during the 2024 election period. Polls showed roughly 70% public support and the ruling HDZ party was re-elected, enabling quick passage of legislation in parliament. Defense officials argue the measure will address threats, instill discipline, and improve readiness, while initial recruitment notices have produced little protest.
Read at www.dw.com
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