Italy revives voluntary military service: 10,000 places to counter the 'Russian threat'

Italy revives voluntary military service: 10,000 places to counter the 'Russian threat'

Italy's Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, has announced that he will present a bill to reintroduce voluntary military service, with 10,000 places for young people. The measure, similar to those announced in Germany and France, is justified by the 'growing Russian threat' on Europe's eastern flank. The announcement comes amid geopolitical tension, with the war in Ukraine as a backdrop, and after years of recurring debates about the return of conscription in Italy, suspended since 2005.

Voluntary, but with a catch

Crosetto's bill envisages a one-year voluntary service, similar to the French model that Macron is pushing for 2026. However, there is a suspicion circulating that, if the places are not filled, it could become compulsory. 'Voluntary as long as the quota is filled; if not, it becomes mandatory,' notes the analysis circulating among observers. The Italian government has also committed to allocating 5% of the budget to defence, and part of that spending would stay at home training recruits.

The social reaction was not long in coming. Skepticism is widespread: many see the initiative as a smokescreen to justify an increase in military spending, when the real threat to Italy, according to some analysts, would come from the south (Segarro) rather than from Russia. 'Where is the threat?' they ask. Others, more ironically, point out that military service is a 'lucrative business' for a few, and recall that in past decades young people were educated in pacifism, only to now ask them to learn to shoot.

Frustrated generations and operational doubts

The debate intersects with a palpable generational discontent. 'The world we are handing over to them is apocalyptic,' laments someone who apologizes to those born after 2000: low wages, unaffordable housing, ethnic replacement. In this context, military service — even if voluntary and with compensation — seems like a band-aid that does not solve the structural problems. Moreover, the operational effectiveness of recruits with limited training is questioned: 'Does anyone really believe those soldiers will be operational?'

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, photographed alongside the Albanian prime minister in November 2025, defends the measure as part of a deterrence strategy. But the debate remains unresolved: neither the threat is clear, nor is the model convincing, nor do young people have incentives to enlist. The history of previous announcements (the introduction of military service was already discussed in 2018) suggests that this proposal could end up in a drawer, or turn into something else.

Conclusion for now

With these ingredients, Italy joins the European trend of restoring military service, but in a light, voluntary version that no one knows will work. The Meloni government is betting on the symbolic gesture while doubts about the real threat and the usefulness of the project remain unanswered. The ball is in parliament's court, and public opinion, skeptical, hopes it is not just smoke.