The Return of Military Service in Europe: A Response to Growing Geopolitical Tensions

As tensions rise in Europe amid the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a number of EU countries are proactively preparing for potential military engagement. Recently, NATO members, with Spain being a notable exception, have nearly unanimously committed to increasing their defense spending to 5% of GDP, reflecting the urgent need for enhanced military capabilities. Germany, specifically, has taken decisive steps by advancing legislation to implement a military service that is currently voluntary but could become mandatory in times of need, a move that has garnered strong support in Parliament, pending final approval from the Bundestag. In Spain, military conscription has been a relic of the past since its mandatory nature was abolished in December 2001 under Prime Minister José María Aznar's administration. This decision followed an agreement with CiU and received broad support from Congress, officially ending a practice that had been entrenched since the early 18th century. It is interesting to note that even the Constitution of 1812 mandated universal military service, obliging citizens to defend the homeland when called. The question looms: could mandatory military service be reintroduced in Spain after a 24-year hiatus? According to Article 30 of the current Spanish Constitution, all Spaniards have the right and obligation to defend their country. Furthermore, this provision indicates that the law should outline military responsibilities, including the possibility of a civil service program aimed at fulfilling general interest objectives. Hence, during a national emergency, the government has the legal authority to mobilize young citizens aged 19 to 25 as mandatory reservists, along with voluntary reservists aged 18 to 58, all subject to specific health requirements. Nonetheless, the Spanish government is not considering such a move at present. Sources from the Ministry of Defense confirm that there are no current plans to reinstate military service, and Defense Minister Margarita Robles has publicly dismissed the idea in the past. A recent YouGov survey reveals that 42% of Spaniards would support the reinstatement of mandatory military service, reflecting a significant public opinion shift in response to the current geopolitical climate. Among European nations, 16 countries still maintain some form of mandatory military service, including 10 EU members: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Croatia, Greece, and Cyprus. However, the specifics regarding duration and the demographics of those called up vary considerably between these nations. Currently, Spain's armed forces consist of approximately 117,600 personnel, resulting in a troop density of about 24 military members per 1,000 inhabitants. Comparatively, the average for European countries stands at 36, suggesting that Spain would need to recruit nearly 60,000 additional military personnel to align with regional averages. This challenge is compounded by the fact that Spain has experienced a steady decline in military personnel since 2010, when the troop numbers were approximately 130,039. Moreover, the annual recruitment is insufficient to keep pace with departures, raising significant concerns about the state of Spain's military readiness. In conclusion, while the specter of reinstating military service in Spain sparks debate amongst its citizens, practical considerations and current government stances indicate that such a significant policy shift is not on the immediate horizon. However, as the situation continues to evolve, especially in light of increasing external threats, the landscape of military service in Europe may soon undergo profound changes. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3