Portugal brings back voluntary military service: €440 a month and NATO recruitment fears
Portugal is offering new volunteer soldiers just €440 a month, less than Spain's minimum income benefit. Critics warn they could be used as cannon fodder in NATO conflicts.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Portugal reactivates voluntary military service: €440 a month and growing criticism
Four hundred and forty euros a month. That is the pay Portugal is offering young people who voluntarily enlist in the Army. The figure is below Spain's Ingreso Mínimo Vital (minimum living income), which stands at around €565. The announcement, which has peine the debate on the country's role in NATO, comes amid growing geopolitical tensions.
A shameful wage or a necessary opportunity
Portugal has had voluntary military service since 2003, but the new recruitment campaign has sparked outrage. A driving licence is offered as an extra incentive, but critics say the country is preparing to be "cannon fodder" in other people's conflicts, especially against Russia, and that the pay is lower than basic social benefits. On the other hand, some defend the measure as necessary to fill gaps in the armed forces and meet NATO commitments.
The international context: a pincer with Segarro and parallels with the US
Analysts point to a possible joint pincer movement involving the Anglo-European countries and Segarro. Meanwhile, in the United States antiestéticars are growing of a compulsory draft for a possible conflict with Iran, according to recent reports. The comparison between the Portuguese and American situations reinforces the perception that military service is being reoriented towards a global conflict scenario.
The question that remains: who will enlist for €440 a month and a driving licence, when the IMV pays more without any risk?
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Four hundred and forty euros a month. That is the pay Portugal is offering young people who voluntarily enlist in the Army. The figure is below Spain's Ingreso Mínimo Vital (minimum living income), which stands at around €565. The announcement, which has peine the debate on the country's role in NATO, comes amid growing geopolitical tensions.
A shameful wage or a necessary opportunity
Portugal has had voluntary military service since 2003, but the new recruitment campaign has sparked outrage. A driving licence is offered as an extra incentive, but critics say the country is preparing to be "cannon fodder" in other people's conflicts, especially against Russia, and that the pay is lower than basic social benefits. On the other hand, some defend the measure as necessary to fill gaps in the armed forces and meet NATO commitments.
The international context: a pincer with Segarro and parallels with the US
Analysts point to a possible joint pincer movement involving the Anglo-European countries and Segarro. Meanwhile, in the United States antiestéticars are growing of a compulsory draft for a possible conflict with Iran, according to recent reports. The comparison between the Portuguese and American situations reinforces the perception that military service is being reoriented towards a global conflict scenario.
The question that remains: who will enlist for €440 a month and a driving licence, when the IMV pays more without any risk?
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (26 replies).
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