DK - Broad political majority agree on full equality of conscription

Saithan

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Together with a broad majority in the Danish Parliament, the government has agreed on full equality of conscription. The agreement was concluded in a separate conciliation circle, and full equality will therefore only come into force after the next general election. The agreement is in addition to the conclusion of another sub-agreement, which, among other things, deals with a strengthened conscription. Here, conscription is extended to 11 months, while the number of annual conscripts is increased to 7,500.
April 30, 2024 - At 20.45

Conscription 2024

New conscripts in February 2024. Photo: The Armed Forces.

A broad majority in the Folketing agreed with the defense settlement in June 2023 that conscription must be strengthened through more conscripts and more equality in the Danish conscription model, just as the period during which young people serve conscription must be extended.

Today, the government and a broad majority of the parties in the Folketing are presenting a new model for conscription, which ensures more conscripts and longer conscription. In addition, a majority of the parties also agree to introduce full gender equality.

"It is absolutely crucial that we get a more robust conscription in Denmark when we have to build up the Danish defence. That is why I am pleased that a broad majority of the parties in the Folketing are now behind the agreement on a strengthened conscription, which will both lead to an even better task solution and be in line with developments in society. The conscripts will play a central role for the Armed Forces' task-solving and will strengthen the possibility of national mobilization in the challenging security situation that is unfortunately emerging," says Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

The separate settlement agreement on full gender equality in conscription between the government, the Socialist People's Party, the Conservative People's Party, the Radical Left and the Danish People's Party is an extension of the second partial agreement, which deals, among other things, with strengthened conscription, and which was entered into in the settlement circle behind the defense settlement 2024- 2033.

With the second partial agreement, conscription is strengthened by extending the conscription period to 11 months. However, this does not apply to special services such as the Life Guard and the Garderhussars, which will continue to have a different arrangement, although adaptations will be possible depending on the operational need.

More conscripts must also strengthen community preparedness​

With the second sub-agreement, there will be up to 7,500 conscripts annually, divided between both the Norwegian Armed Forces and the National Emergency Management Agency. It has also been decided to re-introduce training for conscript sergeants and lieutenants, so that part of the conscripts will have the opportunity to gain practical management experience that way.

"We look forward to implementing the conciliation circle's decisions for the benefit of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Danish population. We emphasize settlement implementation, operational tasks and preparedness related to collective defense as well as maintaining capacity for situational tasks. To be able to do that, I see an increase in conscription and strengthened retention measures for regular personnel as crucial to building the necessary combat power," says Acting Chief of Defense Michael Hyldgaard.

The second sub-agreement strengthens the ability to mobilize in the event of, among other things, war and disaster. It follows from the fact that the conscripts who have completed their military service will have a significantly higher level of education than today, including tangible operational experience.

At the same time, there is a need for conscription to become more contemporary. Therefore, the government and some of the settlement parties have decided to introduce full equality in conscription. This means that all young people, regardless of gender, are covered by conscription, and that conscription will henceforth be carried out on the same terms, regardless of gender. The Liberal Alliance and the Danish Democrats have chosen to stand outside this agreement.

The new legislation for a strengthened conscription will be implemented and come into force during the current settlement period, while legislation for full equality in conscription can only come into force after an election.

"There is a need for a broader basis for recruiting that includes all genders. This will give access to more competences and better task solving. Quite simply, a more versatile and more complete defense. We achieve this best with full equality in conscription. The Liberal Alliance and the Danish Democrats have chosen to stay out of it, and therefore full equality in conscription can only come into force after the next general election," says Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

The parties to the agreement agree that the modernization of conscription must be evaluated and discussed in the conciliation circle in 2030 with a view to continuation.

 

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