The changed security situation in Europe and the world has stimulated discussions about the re-introduction of mandatory military service in Croatia. Although such a possibility has been announced for some time, a political agreement at the state level has not yet been reached. One of the key questions that arises is whether the compulsory military service should include the children of emigrants with Croatian citizenship who live abroad. We checked what the candidates for president of the Republic of Croatia think about this topic.
Independent candidate Tomislav Jonjic, a distinguished lawyer, publicist and historian, points out that this issue is often resolved by a bilateral agreement, and can also be resolved by internal legislation.
"I may be mistaken, but I am not aware of an example of any country in the world treating its citizens who have the citizenship of another country as foreigners. For it, as a rule, they are its citizens and they cannot successfully plead in front of its bodies that they are also citizens of some other state. Any different model would lead to legal chaos that every country wants to avoid, including Croatia, which has the right to know how many conscripts it is counting on.Tomislav Jonjić told Croatians Online.
"It is clear that it would be unfair if in Croatia military service had to be served by those who served it in the country whose citizenship they also haveJonjić added.
Independent candidate Marija Selak Rapudić reminds that "The Republic of Croatia has regulated the obligations of recruits who have Croatian citizenship and live abroad, especially for those with dual citizenship."
"This is regulated by the Croatian Law on Defense and the corresponding rulebook that regulates the keeping of records of conscripts and the performance of military duty, and among other things, it depends on the way in which that person joined the military service in the home country if he has dual citizenship", said Selak Raspudić.
The philosopher, bioethicist and current member of parliament also highlighted the contribution that Croatian emigrants made to the defense of Croatia.
"It does not seem to me that there is currently a stronger intention to include the children of Croatian emigrants in mandatory military service, however, I would like to remind you that our emigrants and their children also made a great contribution to the defense of Croatia, because many of them left their former home and safe existence and stopped line to protect Croatia from Great Serbian aggression. This showed that the love for the homeland has indeed been transmitted transgenerationally to the children of many of our emigrants, and this is something that should definitely be nurtured.", said Selak Raspudić.
Presidential candidate Marija Selak Raspudic.
Photo: Neja Markicevic / CROPIX
Branka Lozo, a scientist and university professor who entered the presidential race as a candidate of the Dom and National Gathering party, believes that military service for children of emigrants should be voluntary.
"Considering that military service is not yet mandatory in Croatia, and it is still planned to be introduced only for young men, my position is that military service for the children of emigrants living abroad would be voluntary, that is, only for those who want it. she said Branka Lozo for Croatians Online.
Candidate of the "Možemo" platform Ivana Kekin believes that Croatia should invest in a professional army instead of returning to mandatory military service.
"My position is that by joining NATO, Croatia has professionalized the army and that Croatia does not need mandatory military service. Croatia also has voluntary military service, so everyone who wants to can serve that way. Investments should be made in equipping, better salaries and promotion of the professional army, given that we know that the conditions in the army are not good enough, and therefore not motivating for people who have affinities and desires to join the professional army or serve voluntary military serviceIvana Kekin told Croatians Online.
Entrepreneur Niko Tokić Kartelo, independent candidate, says that military service could connect young people from the diaspora with their homeland, while adapting to their life circumstances abroad.
"I believe that military service can play an important role in connecting young Croats from the diaspora with Croatia. However, it would be necessary to provide flexibility in the way of serving the term for those living abroad, in order to facilitate their participation without interfering with their obligations in foreign countriesNiko Tokić Kartelo told Croatians Online.
Three presidential candidates - Zoran Milanović, Dragan Primorac and Miro Bulj - did not submit their answers to our question.
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