Two political forces contesting Latvia’s October 3 parliamentary election have explicitly pledged to abolish compulsory national defence service. Suverēnā vara/Apvienība Jaunlatvieši (right-wing populist, Christian-conservative and protectionist) promises to end the mandatory call-up of young people, while Stabilitātei! (centrist populist, Eurosceptic and Russian-minority-oriented) likewise says it would abolish compulsory national defence service.

The positions contrast sharply with several other parties. Apvienotais saraksts (ECR) promises to expand national defence service by introducing additional service pathways, strengthening the National Guard and expanding reservist training. Nacionālā apvienība (ECR) wants to increase the number of trained reservists and provide greater financial and career support to people serving in the armed forces, National Guard and national defence service. Both are affiliated with the ECR Group.

Saskaņas Centrs (S&D), meanwhile, proposes raising compensation for conscripts to €500 and for volunteers to €800, while allowing some participants to fulfil their service in municipal police or civil-defence structures.

Read the entire piece in LV Portāls.