Bundeswehr commemorative day: debate about compulsory military service in an insecure time
Bundeswehr commemorative day: debate about compulsory military service in an insecure time
Berlin, Deutschland - June 15, 2025 will be all about the Bundeswehr in Berlin. The central event for the Bundeswehr's commemoration day, which was introduced by the Bundestag last year, takes place around the Reichstag building. Every year around June 15, this day is celebrated to express thanks and recognition for the services of the soldiers, as [Deutschlandfunk] (https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/zentrale- event-in-berlin discussion-Ueber-ueber-106.html).
Among the numerous topics that come up as part of the celebrations, the discussion about conscription is also taken up again. The military officer of the Bundestag, Henning Otte, demands more incentives for voluntary military service. To do this, he suggests relief when accessing universities and additional pension points. The chairman of the Defense Committee, Röwekamp, also calls for a debate about a general duty for men and women. It indicates the security policy challenge that has existed for decades and has gained urgency through the Ukraine conflict.
Return to compulsory military service?
The considerations of reintroducing military service to gain drive 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 pleads for a new, voluntary military service. The focus here is on the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr, since the Inspecter General Carsten Breuer points to a defect of around 100,000 soldiers, as https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/wehr- Voluntei- Bundeswehr-100.html) reports.
The views are shared in the population. A current survey shows that 58% of Germans support compulsory military service. However, this represents a sharp contrast to the 61% of 18 to 29 year olds who speak against such a regulation. The Greens' proposal also receives special attention to introducing a mandatory “freedom service” for everyone between the ages of 18 and 67, while the AfD pleads for a two -year military service and the left categorically turns against conscription.
The security policy situation
The security policy situation in Europe has recently changed, so the Federal Intelligence Service and the Bundeswehr warn of the risk of a Russian attack on NATO territory. These assessments are based on new situation evaluations of European intelligence services that indicate that Russia could create the prerequisites for a large -scale conventional war until the end of the decade.
Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius emphasizes the need to become tough, and IF could also be used to recover in peace times with a simple majority in parliament. However, he sees a smooth process of compulsory military service because it lacks personnel and infrastructure.
The former military officer, Eva Högl, illustrates that the Bundeswehr is not equipped accordingly in order to implement the compulsory military service. Numerous barracks were sold and military replacement offices were abolished. Current considerations on the new military service, which is initially based on voluntariness and is based on Swedish model, are also under discussion. Men aged 18 and over are asked to fill out a questionnaire, while women can voluntarily take part in [wdr.
Overall, the debate on conscription remains a highly topical topic in Germany. The discussion about the security situation, the requirements for the Bundeswehr and the ideas of the political parties show that a lot of movement can still be expected here in the coming years.
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| Ort | Berlin, Deutschland |
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