Italy's League party introduces bill to bring back compulsory military service

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – Italy’s right-wing League party filed a bill Tuesday to reintroduce six months of civil or military service.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said the bill would offer civil service to conscientious objectors or others who do not want to do military service, the ANSA news agency reported.

“The League's bill to reintroduce six months of civil or military service for 18-26 year-olds, on a regional basis and to be carried out exclusively in Italy, has been filed in the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House)," Salvini wrote on X.

"It is a form of civic education in the service of the community, of discipline, of attention to others and respect for oneself and for others that could have very positive effects," he added.

Italy had mandatory military service for men only until Dec. 31, 2004.