In a new development in Danish defense policy, Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V) has presented a proposal that could result in mandatory two-year conscription for officers if there are not enough volunteers for these roles. This step is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. The Minister of Defense has stated that while they hope for voluntary enlistments, they are prepared to make service mandatory to ensure that the army has the necessary officers. “We have previously seen that you can force people to become sergeants, and it is an option we are willing to use again if necessary,” Troels Lund Poulsen told TV 2.
This proposal follows earlier initiatives from the government to introduce mandatory conscription for women, which has sparked debate and opposition from several political parties, including the Liberal Alliance and the Denmark Democrats, who have expressed that they will not support such a change. Criticism of the proposal for equal conscription for men and women has also been significant. Anna Libak, a former language officer and current foreign editor at Weekendavisen, has strongly criticized the proposal. “Turning a right into an obligation weakens women’s rights, and it is wrong to present it as an improvement of women’s opportunities,” she told B.T.
The government’s proposal for special conscription for officers is another sign that new ways are being sought to strengthen the country’s defense preparedness, but it is clear that there is a need for a broader political and public discussion on how this can best be achieved.