Poles split on compulsory military service, survey shows

However, young people are firmly against the idea, according to the research conducted by Ipsos for state broadcaster TVP Info.

Poland’s war readiness has become a hot topic since the government announced earlier this month that it would set up a voluntary military training for all adult men by the end of the year.

Asked whether they supported the return of an obligatory draft in Poland, 21% of those surveyed said they were strongly in favor, with another 25% broadly in favor.

Similar numbers said they were against, with 21% strongly opposed and 24% mildly disapproving of the idea. Another 9% of the 1,000 people asked said they did not know.

While the population as a whole seems more or less equally divided on the issue, the data show that there is a difference in opinion between the old and the young.

In total, 58% of people aged 18-29 said they were strongly or mildly opposed to compulsory military service, with 33% strongly or mildly in favor. In contrast, 47% of those over 60 years old expressed support for the idea, with 41% against.

After announcing the government’s military training scheme, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed it would not entail a return to mandatory conscription, which ended in Poland in 2008.

He said the authorities are looking at several potential models of voluntary service.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Poland’s defense minister said the plans would be presented to ministers by the end of the month.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the scheme would mean that every Polish citizen would be able to get trained in preparation for crisis situations or to become a soldier.

The courses, training and exercises involved would be the country’s largest ever crisis preparation project, he added, saying that it may involve expanding school programs introducing the military to children.

“Everyone will be able to find their place, without issues, in the state’s security system,” he said.