Liberal leader questions delay of conscription until 2032

Lithuania’s opposition Liberal leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said she was disappointed by a decision to introduce universal conscription for men in 2032 rather than 2030, as previously planned. LRT reported her comments on Friday.

“The date of 2032 came as a very unpleasant surprise. It is essentially unclear why the earlier plan was abandoned,” Čmilytė-Nielsen told Žinių radijas, referring to previous public statements by the army chief, the president and the defence minister in favour of 2030.

She said the two-year delay appeared to disregard a worsening threat situation. International experts, allies and partners had repeatedly warned that Vladimir Putin could take action before 2030, she said, while Lithuania was postponing the decision further.

The State Defence Council agreed on Thursday to introduce universal conscription for men from 2032. President Gitanas Nausėda said the system would call up about 7,500 young people each year, while women would continue to be able to serve voluntarily. More than 5,000 young people are currently called up annually.