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Return to compulsory military service? Union is preparing Germany for new times!
Jens Spahn calls for structure for the return of conscription in Germany. Majority supports new measures to strengthen the Bundeswehr.
Return to compulsory military service? Union is preparing Germany for new times!
In Germany, the discussion about reintroducing compulsory military service is becoming increasingly louder. Jens Spahn, the Union parliamentary group leader, recently demanded that the Bundeswehr should prepare for a possible return to compulsory military service. He is of the opinion that the Federal Republic's defense capability requires structural change. According to the [BR](https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/union-will-deutschland-auf-wehrpflicht-vor preparen,Uo4CoFe), up to 60,000 additional soldiers could be needed for this.
The need for conscription is particularly noticeable in order to reach a critical number of troops. When thinking along these lines, Spahn explicitly refers to men, since the old conscription only applied to them - a circumstance that is anchored in the Basic Law. However, the possibility of extending compulsory military service to women is also being discussed, which is supported by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU). Their argument is based on taking into account demographic change and the associated decline in birth rates.
Public opinion and political support
Interestingly, according to a recent survey by ARD-DeutschlandTrend, 72 percent of the population supports the reintroduction of military or community service, and many also consider the inclusion of women to be sensible. However, views on compulsory military service vary among sections of the population. 58 percent of Germans support compulsory military service, but among 18 to 29 year olds only 39 percent are in favor of it Spiegel reports.
The political landscape in Germany shows a similar picture: Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and others in the Union support the idea of public service. At the same time, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has announced the prospect of examining a reform of the military service in order to prepare a bill for its reintroduction. This bill is expected to include a two-stage model that relies on voluntary service first and could include a later vote on a return to conscription if the goals are not met.
Prospects and challenges
The current debate about compulsory military service has its origins in the changed security policy framework, especially since Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022. As the Tagesschau reports, the parties are now in coalition negotiations to clarify the future form of compulsory military service. The introduction of a compulsory military service quota is also being considered.
However, there are also critical voices from various areas, including church youth associations. The Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, does not see a return to traditional conscription as making much sense and advocates for a gradual build-up of the necessary personnel. The Bundeswehr is currently lacking around 100,000 soldiers, which endangers its operational readiness. A compulsory year of service for everyone, both men and women, is suggested by the Union, while the SPD aims to introduce a new military service on a voluntary basis.
Finally, it should be noted that the discussion about compulsory military service in Germany has far-reaching social and political implications. It remains to be seen what decisions will be made in the coming months and whether conscription will actually be reintroduced in some form.