Bundeswehr Remembrance Day: Debate about compulsory military service in uncertain times

Bundeswehr Remembrance Day: Debate about compulsory military service in uncertain times

June 15, 2025 in Berlin will be all about the Bundeswehr. The central event for the Bundeswehr Remembrance Day, which was introduced by the Bundestag last year, takes place around the Reichstag building. Every year around June 15th, this day is celebrated to express thanks and recognition for the services of the soldiers, as [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/zentrale- Veranstaltung-in-berlin-diskussion-ueber-wehrpflicht-106.html) reports.

Among the numerous topics that will be discussed during the celebrations, the discussion about compulsory military service will also be taken up again. The Bundestag's military commissioner, Henning Otte, is calling for more incentives for voluntary military service. To this end, he proposes easier access to universities and additional pension points. The chairman of the Defense Committee, Röwekamp, ​​also calls for a debate about general military service for men and women. He points to the challenging security situation that has existed for decades and has become more urgent due to the Ukraine conflict.

Return to compulsory military service?

Considerations about reintroducing compulsory military service are gaining momentum again. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022, the topic has returned to political discourse. While the Union (CDU/CSU) calls for a clear return to compulsory military service, the SPD advocates a new, voluntary military service. The focus here is on the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr, as Inspector General Carsten Breuer points out a shortage of around 100,000 soldiers, as Tagesschau reports.

Views are divided among the population. A recent survey shows that 58% of Germans support compulsory military service. However, this represents a sharp contrast to the 61% of 18-29 year olds who oppose such a regulation. The Green Party's proposal to introduce compulsory “freedom service” for everyone between the ages of 18 and 67 is also receiving particular attention, while the AfD is in favor of two-year conscription and the Left is categorically against compulsory military service.

The security policy situation

The security policy situation in Europe has recently changed fundamentally, with the Federal Intelligence Service and the Bundeswehr warning of the danger of a Russian attack on NATO territory. These assessments are based on new assessments by European intelligence services that suggest that Russia could create the conditions for a large-scale conventional war by the end of the decade.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasizes the need to become ready for war, even if conscription could be reinstated in peacetime with a simple majority in parliament. However, he is critical of the smooth running of compulsory military service because there is a lack of personnel and infrastructure.

The former military commissioner, Eva Högl, makes it clear that the Bundeswehr is not adequately equipped to implement compulsory military service. Numerous barracks were sold and military replacement offices were abolished. Current considerations about the new military service, which is initially based on voluntary action and is based on the Swedish model, are also being discussed. Men aged 18 and over are asked to fill out a questionnaire, while women can take part voluntarily, as can be read on [WDR](https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/wehrpflicht-bundeswehr-faq-fragen- Answeren-100.html).

Overall, the debate about compulsory military service remains a highly topical issue in Germany. The discussion about the security situation, the demands on the Bundeswehr and the ideas of the political parties show that a lot of movement can be expected in the coming years.