Orbán’s ‘territorial claims’ spur Slovak minister’s mandatory military training plan

Slovakia’s Sports Minister, Rudolf Huliak, has proposed mandatory military training for all men over the age of 18, citing concerns over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies and potential Hungarian territorial ambitions.

According to a Napunk.hu report, Huliak, a minister in the Fico-led government, stated that compulsory military training would not take place in traditional barracks but would be organised closer to participants’ homes.

The minister also expressed unease about “the Hungarian issue”, particularly Hungary’s increasing purchases of historical monuments in Slovakia. He views symbolic gestures by Viktor Orbán – such as wearing a scarf showing a map of Greater Hungary or references to revisiting the Treaty of Trianon borders – as warning signs that should be taken seriously by Slovakia.

“I read Orbán’s statements, and see that he wears a scarf depicting Greater Hungary, which includes Slovakia. There’s also talk of revisiting Trianon borders – these are signals we need to pay attention to,” Huliak added, saying the Slovak government must take such indications seriously.

He warned that Slovakia’s current situation is alarming because it lacks an air defence system. His proposal would require young men to complete at least three months of training after turning 18. Though expensive, he considers it essential. As a model, he envisions a military organisation similar to Switzerland’s.

Debates over Slovakia’s air defence

Huliak’s proposal has reignited discussions about Slovakia’s vulnerable air defences. President Peter Pellegrini described a recent drone incident in Poland as “very dangerous” and admitted that the country is practically “naked and defenceless”. Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák openly stated that Slovakia would likely be unable to respond to a similar event, as the previous government had transferred its MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 system to Ukraine.

Former defence minister Jaroslav Naď, meanwhile, accused the current government of failing to use the Mantis air defence systems received from Germany, which are designed specifically to counter drone attacks.

Conscription returns across Europe

The war in Ukraine has brought the issue of military conscription back onto the agenda in several European countries.

• Lithuania and Latvia have already reinstated compulsory service
• Finland and Estonia have long maintained conscription systems
• Germany and the Czech Republic are currently engaged in heated political debates over whether to implement mandatory military training for young people
• Slovakia abolished conscription in 2006, shifting to a voluntary system, but the war in Ukraine and shifting regional security dynamics have brought the issue back to the forefront.

This makes Huliak’s proposal all the more surprising, as he referred to longstanding tensions in Hungarian–Slovak relations as justification. The two nations have previously clashed over minority rights and the use of historical symbols. Orbán’s Greater Hungary scarf sparked a diplomatic uproar in Bratislava years ago; Huliak now cites it as part of the rationale for beefing up Slovakia’s defences.

“There’s a war raging just beyond our borders, Russian drones are striking Polish territory, and the prime minister of a neighbouring country dreams of Greater Hungary. A state that cannot protect its own borders has no right to exist,” Huliak stated during his Thursday press conference.

Could conscription return to Slovakia?

It remains uncertain whether the proposal will receive support from the government and coalition partners. Huliak said there must be broad discussions involving politicians, the military, and society to determine the form of the service. One thing is already clear: the idea is triggering fierce debate. Supporters argue it would boost national security, while critics claim the mandatory training is more of a political statement than a real solution to current challenges.

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