Croatian lawmakers have voted to reintroduce mandatory military service to boost the Balkan nation’s defence, in response to rising global tension and conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The parliament in the capital Zagreb approved an amendment to the law enacting the reinstatement by a large majority on Friday.

The country had abolished conscription in 2008, a year before joining NATO, in an effort to professionalise its military.

But top officials have since argued that international tensions require the restoration of basic military training to bolster Croatia’s defence forces.

“We are seeing a rise in various types of threats … that demand swift and effective action from the broader community,” Defence Minister Ivan Anusic, from the governing conservative HDZ party, told

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