Turkey may hold referendum on paid military service

PanARMENIAN.Net - Commenting on a recent proposal by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to allow potential draftees to pay a specified amount of money in lieu of performing compulsory military service as a one-time-only opportunity, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his party can take this proposal to a referendum after the June 12 elections.

Speaking to a group of journalists on the plane taking him back to Turkey from Tataristan, Erdoğan said he does not want to make a decision on the issue. “Maybe, the nation can be consulted after the elections and we can work on this. But, I am not planning to make such a pledge. I am just saying that we can work on it if necessary,” he said.

“Will money in lieu of military service be allowed or not? The opinions of nation about this are very important. We would have already brought that about if we believed that this would not victimize some parts of society,” the Prime Minister said. Recalling that his party had passed a law that exempted police officers from compulsory military service and another one on enlisted soldiers, Erdoğan said these issues were solved in agreement with the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

“We assessed the current situation of the country, the budget and the methods to implement them. But I see that the main opposition party is making this proposal to just make something. If we really have to work on this issue, we can take this to a referendum after the elections. Let our nation decide on that. I cannot take on such a responsibility. There are people who have money and there those who do not. My nation is not warm to this issue,” he added.

Compulsory military service has been a much-debated issue in Turkey, which has been fighting against terrorism for decades. Military service is compulsory for all healthy men in Turkey, and the length of service depends on one’s level of education as well as the military’s needs. Currently, university graduates with a four-year degree serve either for six months as a private or a year as a second lieutenant, depending on what is needed, while those who do not have a four-year bachelor’s degree are obliged to fulfill 15 months of military service.

The CHP is proposing a bill that seeks to allow a one-time opportunity for a payment instead of military service for those who are over 28 but have not yet completed their military service. A similar version of this arrangement is currently available to individuals who have worked abroad for a minimum of three consecutive years, Today's Zaman reported.