Defense
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Estonia Passes Defense Law, Defers Conscript Language Rule
Estonia's parliament passed a revised Military Service Act on January 28, 2026, removing a controversial Estonian language proficiency requirement for conscripts after President Alar Karis vetoed the initial bill over constitutional concerns regarding equal treatment.
- —The Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) has passed an amended version of the Military Service Act, removing a controversial language proficiency requirement for conscripts.
- —The language requirement was previously cited by President Alar Karis as a reason for refusing to proclaim the original law, citing a violation of the principle of equal treatment.
- —The revised law aims to increase flexibility and efficiency in recruiting personnel for the Defense Forces by expanding participation opportunities for reservists, conscripts, and civilians.
- —A separate legislative proposal is planned to address the language proficiency requirement for conscripts, with a middle-level (B1) Estonian language skill being considered.
- —The amendments also introduce a new type of service: voluntary service, allowing reservists to temporarily engage in Defense Forces tasks on a non-staff basis, and expand conscript participation in international naval operations after training.
Recap
Estonia's legislature prioritized immediate military readiness over a contentious domestic policy, decoupling a language requirement from a crucial defense recruitment law. This pragmatic move, prompted by a constitutional challenge from the President, allows the Defense Forces to enhance operational flexibility while postponing a politically sensitive debate on national identity and military service.