Estonia Drops Conscript Language Test, Opts for State-Funded Courses
After the President rejected a mandatory B1 Estonian language test for military conscripts as discriminatory, the country's parliament has reversed the law and will instead offer state-funded language training to ensure recruits meet proficiency standards before service.
- —Estonia's parliament has removed a provision from a defense service law that would have required conscripts to demonstrate at least B1 level proficiency in Estonian.
- —The removed provision was a response to concerns about the Estonian language skills of some conscripts, with the intention of ensuring a common language for military service.
- —The original law was returned by the President due to concerns that the language requirement created a discriminatory privilege for some citizens.
- —A new plan is being developed to offer free Estonian language courses to conscripts with insufficient language skills, with mandatory testing upon completion.
- —The proposed language courses would be 8-9 months long with flexible scheduling, and 200-250 places are planned to be reserved in the Integration Foundation.
Recap
This policy reversal is a pragmatic retreat from a measure that risked alienating a segment of the population essential for national defense. By shifting from a prohibitive test to a state-sponsored training program, the government acknowledges its role in fostering integration rather than simply penalizing a lack of language proficiency. The episode exposes the delicate balance Estonia must maintain between strengthening national identity through language and ensuring an inclusive, effective conscription-based military.