Authority Requests Proposed Directive for Installing System Regarding Introduction
In the midst of coalition discord, the question of a swift return to conscription looms large. Jens Spahn, leader of the Union faction, is pushing for the creation of a structure within the Bundeswehr that would facilitate such a return, albeit gradually. "A framework needs to be in place within the Bundeswehr for us to potentially reintroduce compulsory service, but this can't be done overnight. We must start the preparations," Spahn told the Rheinische Post. The SPD, however, remains resistant to this idea.
The call for preparation isn't exclusive to Spahn; even the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, CDU politician Henning Otte, agrees. Otte insists on a safeguard in case there aren't enough volunteers as needed. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, too, acknowledges the need for preparations, stating that the coalition agreement's emphasis on voluntarism does not rule out the possibility of reintroducing conscription in the future.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has also hinted at the possibility of additional steps in military service. The union's push for a more robust military presence comes amid growing demands from NATO. Particularly, Germany needs an additional 50,000 to 60,000 active soldiers to keep the alliance sufficiently defense-capable and deter potential aggressors like Russia.
However, reaching the previous target of 203,000 men and women in the standing armed forces has proven challenging. Despite frequent recruitment campaigns and lowered requirements, the number has dropped to barely more than 181,000 soldiers. Given these circumstances, a return to conscription appears increasingly likely, though both the legal basis and infrastructure would need to be established first.
Should conscription be reintroduced, it would initially apply to men, as amending the constitution to include women would require a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. The new law on military service is currently being drafted in the Ministry of Defense and is in the inter-ministerial coordination process.
Meanwhile, the SPD faction, despite reservations about reintroducing conscription, acknowledges the need to improve the Bundeswehr's infrastructure and offer attractive and flexible career models to attract more recruits. The SPD would rather prioritize voluntary service, but it has hinted at considering conscription as a last resort in the next legislative period.
Even the Defense Commissioner Otte is open to incentives for young people to volunteer, suggesting potential concessions such as facilitated university access or additional pension points. This, however, would require a broader societal discussion on the role of service in Germany's Bundeswehr.
- As the demand for a stronger military presence mounts, politicians are advocating for a potential amendment of the military service policy-and-legislation to reintroduce conscription, with the German Bundeswehr developing a structure to facilitate its gradual return, according to Jens Spahn, leader of the Union faction.
- General news outlets are reporting on the growing consensus among key figures, including Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces Henning Otte, that additional steps in military service, potentially including a return to conscription, might be necessary to ensure Germany's defense capabilities and deter potential aggressors, such as Russia.
