The members of the Riigikogu voted for the revised version of the Military Service Act. After the law was not proclaimed by the president, the language requirements for conscripts were removed.
On Wednesday, a meeting of the working group took place at the Riigikogu Defense Committee, where the (non)knowledge of the state language among future conscripts was discussed.
Conscripts without knowledge of the state language will be given the opportunity to take free language courses before serving in the army, at the B1 level.
"Conscripts will be given the opportunity to voluntarily study the Estonian language. The duration of the training may be 8-9 months. The courses will be held on a flexible schedule so that it does not interfere with daily life. Perhaps 2-3 times a week, in the morning or evening," said Riigikogu member Kalev Stoicescu.
"If the conscript does not pass the exam after the courses, the state will take further action – various sanctions will be applied. We discussed different options, including the temporary revocation of driving licenses," said Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
"I am quite skeptical about the idea that we can force someone to learn the Estonian language who has not learned it in nine years of schooling," noted Riigikogu member Raimond Kaljulaid (SDE).
According to the deputies, the relevant amendments are planned to be adopted this spring, and they will come into effect next year.
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