This article is an opinion piece whose contents represent the standpoint of its author and not UPF Lund or The Perspective’s editorial board.
Lazy. Undisciplined. Uneducated. For generations, these are the epithets given to Italy’s youth, with one proposed solution echoing: istituite nuovamente la leva militare obbligatoria– bring back mandatory military service!
Today, in Europe’s evolving security landscape, the question of military service and national resilience is back, and Italy finds themselves looking for the answers while facing internal resistance, from social movements to political divisions.
As a matter of fact, the Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto intends to present a bill to parliament to establish a limited, structured form of conscription. This system would create a trained reserve force to be mobilized only in wartime, designed to supplement the existing branches of the Italian armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Carabinieri.
This is in line with what France and Germany have proposed, however, its meaning is interpreted far differently within Italy.
Let’s consider France first.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron has reintroduced universal national service, structured as a voluntary 10-month program operating solely within the country. The program has up to 60% of public approval, with the only area of disagreement between left-right is regarding modalities.. And, while the external threat is the main factor, the driving internal force is deeply embedded in the French Republican tradition. For France, the military has always been intrinsically linked to the political and social project of the nation. In fact, since the suspension of conscription in 1997, calls for its return have consistently resurfaced during moments of intense social pressure. For example, after the 2015 Paris attacks, “French youth flocked to join the army as military reserves”, signaling a search for unity and civic purpose.
In other words, the deeper, enduring motivation might stem from the idea that conscription fosters social integration, serving as a collective experience capable of forging a common national consciousness. The high public approval might be the symptom of an internal front in a crisis characterized by declining trust in democracy, the retreat of central institutions, and unprecedented political and economic strain. This reflects a perceived failure of assimilation and integration, amplified by trends like re-Islamization and stronger religious affiliations, which have triggered a widespread search for reaffirmed identity.
Contrary to the French reality, the German one implies a greater cultural transformation. In fact, for decades, the German identity was consciously constructed by strong anti-militarist sentiment, burdened by historical guilt.
Now, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a new consensus has arisen around national responsibility and defense. Here stands the new German path or turning point (Zeitenwende), with a budget defined as an “economic bazooka”.
This means that the debate is not necessarily about conscription, which has 50% of the public support – although mainly by those outside the age group. Rather, it’s more about the strategic departure from the “culture of restraint” and about the redefinition of a German national identity– and, in this way, a redefinition of Europe’s power balance. As a consequence, a paradox has emerged: having long been asked by its Western allies to assume a greater defense role, Germany’s decisive military shift is now being viewed, including by some of those same allies, with a mix of skepticism and concern.
Italy, however, stands apart in its profound ambivalence.
At the heart of Italy’s resistance to military service lies a pervasive and chronic distrust in state institutions, a sentiment that has grown in time due to political volatility, economic disillusionment and acute social pressures. In fact, the state is widely perceived as unreliable and self-serving, a view that is entrenched by the short-lived governments, despite the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leading one of the nation’s most durable administrations.
Moreover, military service primarily draws from the same demographic that is already grappling with stagnant wages and widespread job insecurity. Given this, the low level of support is unsurprising since it is misaligned with their immediate struggles and needs. This leads to a compelling question: why should Meloni’s disillusioned youth fight for a country that does not fight for them?
Apart from the structural chronic problems, Italy’s sense of patria remains abstract and fragmented. Its national identity remains fragmented, anchored more in affective, cultural dimensions– regional pride, family, local cuisine, art- than in a state-centered civic patriotism. A survey in 2025 revealing that only 16% feel they have the spirit to defend the homeland is a stark indicator of this.
So, as Italy remains divided, the ultimate question remains: what is the solution? Passivity may not be a sustainable choice because of the realities of war in Ukraine, the expectations of our allies, the strategic weight of hosting key NATO military bases, and Italy’s role in the Mediterranean. In this context, decisive action becomes not a matter of political preference but a strategic necessity. So how can Italy secure these frontline responsibilities when its own citizens feel no compelling duty to defend it?
By Lisa Barut
February 3, 2026
