Dutch public in favor of mandatory military service

A majority of the Dutch public is in favor of reintroducing mandatory military service. Some 62 percent of the population think it a good measure to teach "young people that everyone should contribute to society", AD reports based on a recent poll by Maurice de Hond.

De Hond polled the Dutch public on this issue at the request of the CDA. Party leader Sybrand Buma started advocating for Dutch youth to spend some time in the army last week. According to Buma, this would give more structure to the lives of young troublemakers in particular.

Other parties in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, are against the idea.

Mandatory military service was abolished about 20 years ago, according to the Telegraaf. Since then the Dutch military functioned as a career army.