LITHUANIA & LATVIA: reacting to growing tension with Russia

Lithuania's plans to extend military conscription after 2020. Conscription was reintroduced earlier this year, planned to be only for five years. But due to the “threats from the east” they have already decided to prolong it at least by another year.

A new survey, shows that more than 50% of the population backs the re-introduction of conscription in the country. The survey also shows that the majority of those that oppose conscription belong to the 15-24 age group, the age group closest to conscription age, which is 19-26. Also in Latvia, due to the growing tension with Russia, there are plans to reintroduce conscription, though it has not yet been decided. The government has decided to increase the defence budget.

Sources:
global post, Lithuania to extend military conscription, 5 November 2015
The Baltic Times, More than 50 percent of Lithuanians in favour of conscription, 17 November 2015
International Business Times, Amid Russian Hostility, Latvia Military Draft? Conscription Mulled As Defense Budget Is Hiked, 9 October 2015