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 […]

Latvia’s latest compulsory intake has exposed substantial resistance and attrition within the country’s National Defence Service. Of 400 young people selected for compulsory service in July, roughly one-third ignored their summons and failed to appear for medical examinations. Another third were subsequently declared medically unfit, while several recruits challenged their call-up. In the end, only […]