New Riga Theatre’s director Alvis Hermanis published on his Instagram account his thoughts about society’s reaction to the Latvian government’s plan to bring back mandatory military service for all men aged 18 to 27 years.
According to him, the announcement regarding the mandatory state defence service has served as a «moment of truth» that reflects society’s attitude towards the state.
«The fact that the majority of Latvians doubt the need for mandatory military service clearly indicates society stagnates and something has gone wrong. It turns out the majority of Latvians consider the state only as consumers. And this is the core of Latvia’s problem – the state supports a completely backwards system of pseudo-liberal values, where every person only things about his or her own personal, not common interests,» JRT director wrote on this Instagram page.
Hermanis mentioned he has four sons. One of them will have to join the army very soon because he lives in Estonia, where military service is mandatory.
«This means that in the event of a possible war, he and other Estonian men will join the war for Latvia on Latvia’s soil (because it’s clear the Baltic Front will be united), while Latvian men, it seems, will emigrate and avoid fighting,» Hermanis wrote.
«And now what you’re thinking is this: what will Estonians and Lithuanians (for whom military service applies to all men) will think of us, Latvians?»
In the event of a threat of Russian invasion, it will be primarily necessary to move children and women not engaged in military service or the National Guard to a foreign country. Men of all ages will have to remain and defend Latvia, said Hermanis.
«Even people like me, who are older than 55 years, will find a way to help out.»
Hermanis was also critical of the reaction from voters of Attīstībai/Par! Political party. He wrote: «Ironically, Pabriks represents a party whose uber-liberal electorate (considering the level of shock on social networks) are in majority are not ready to defend the independence of our country. This only proves that Pabriks was forced into a corner in Madrid. This is because all neighbouring countries (aside from US) have had it, because Latvia is an unreliable country, the weakest link. I’ve had the same thoughts since yesterday.»
Read also: Latvia plans to adopt a general state defence service
As previously reported, on 5 July Latvia’s Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks announced the country will adopt mandatory state defence service for men aged 18 to 27 years. This announcement caused a wide public response both in regards to the need of military service and in regards to letting women join the army.
In Lithuania and Estonia, meanwhile, military service is already mandatory.
Read also: No need to put life on hold for a year. Four options to get through state defence service