The principles of the organisation of the military service until 2020 are at the top of the agenda. Nonetheless, only the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) is the only ruling party in favour of conscription.
Kestutis Dauksys, Chairman of the Labour Party political group in the Seimas, claims the party will form its position on Tuesday. Meanwhile Rolandas Paksas, the leader of the party Order and Justice, is still waiting for the Ministry of National Defence to provide arguments why the professional military service cannot be augmented through additional funding.
"In my opinion, professional military is the pillar on which countries like Lithuania should rely on," Paksas told ELTA news agency on the phone. He added that the party Order and Justice will craft its position on conscription by Thursday.
Member of the party Order and Justice Kestas Komskis offered to hold a referendum on reintroduction of conscription. However the idea was criticised by Seimas Speaker Loreta Grauziniene, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius and President Dalia Grybauskaite. The three top politicians say that conscription is the only measure at the moment that can enhance the lacking defensive capabilities.
The Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), a party in the opposition, also is in favour of conscription. Meanwhile Eligijus Masiulis, Head of the Liberal Movement, intends to express his opinion after hearing the arguments of the chief of defence.
If Parliament decides to reintroduce conscription, then 3,000-3,500 males aged 19-26 years should start carrying out 9-month compulsory military service already this year.
