Boris Pistorius wants to reform military service - what does that mean for MV?

Boris Pistorius wants to reform military service - what does that mean for MV?

In the middle of a tense security policy situation, the topic of compulsory military service currently shapes the political discussion in Germany. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has presented plans that provide for a fundamentally new direction of military service. For example, a new military service law, which is to be brought into parliament at the end of August 2025, should contain both voluntary elements and options for activating a compulsory compulsory if the number of volunteers is not sufficient, such as [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/wehr-plaene-von-pistorius-s-z-in-mv-wehrwecht-130.html) reported.

goal is to significantly increase the Bundeswehr's staff. The troop strength is currently around 180,000 soldiers, but an additional 60,000 soldiers are urgently needed to ensure Germany's defense ability. In the long term, the Bundeswehr is to be increased to around 250,000 to 260,000 soldiers in order to meet the current challenges, according to Tagetchau.

reorganization of military service

The draft law stipulates that men between the ages of 18 and 25 will have to submit a declaration of commitment in the future. Women have the opportunity to report voluntarily. In an emergency, the Federal Government, with the consent of the Bundestag, could convene conscripts to react to an acute lack of personnel. In addition to a higher payment, better accommodation options for the recruits should also be created so that the service becomes more attractive, such as [Süddeutsche] (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundeswehr-wehrdienst-gesetz-pistorius- Voluntary service-li.3280644) added.

The planned changes also include reintroduction of a sample that should be mandatory for all young men from 2027. A questionnaire that is to be sent to all 18-year-olds from 2026 is a central part of these reforms. Critical voices come from various political camps, which consider the introduction of conscription as an interference with the freedom of young people or express concerns about data protection practices.

political reactions

The approval of Pistorius ’plans varies depending on the political orientation. While the CDU supports the ideas in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it demands faster implementation. The SPD generally agrees, but emphasizes that the implementation requires extensive personnel and material means. On the other hand, the left rejects the reintroduction of conscription and sees this an excessive interference with the freedom of young people. The AfD, on the other hand, supports the abolition of the suspension of conscription and calls for more intensive mobilization, but without supporting the associated security measures.

military historian Sönke Neitzel speaks for the immediate reintroduction of compulsory military service, while Bavaria Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) underlines the need for a systematic security structure. The SPD faction leader, Matthias Miersch, also expresses resistance by only seeing compulsory military service as a topic for a later election period.

Overall, it can be seen that the discussion about conscription is not an easy topic and brings with it both advantages and numerous challenges. The coming weeks and months will decide how the political wind in Germany is going on in relation to this sensitive area.