Business leader Merz advocates for corporate backing of the German Reserve Military (Bundeswehr Reserve)
Latest News from our Website - The (Explicit) News Radio: More Troops for Germany's Military
More Troops for Germany's Military
Merz Requests Business Support
our website UPDATETue 29.06.2025 09:05Duration: 02:28 min
Link to Audio
Copyright: GERMAN BROADCASTING
Audio
Main Content
29. June 2025, 09:41
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to expand the military reserves of Germany - with the help of German corporations. Reserve troops should have regular training opportunities, and companies will enjoy financial relief. Business associations are on board with the proposal - but stress the importance of voluntary engagement.
by Juliane Neubauer, our website AKTUELL
- The skills of reservists match well with medium-sized companies - explains the Federation of Medium-Sized Enterprises.
- The Federation of Medium-Sized Businesses and Industry in Thuringia hopes for voluntary enlistment.
- Companies will be entirely released from wage costs.
Friedrich Merz aims to expand the military reserves for the German Armed Forces and requires the backing of German companies to achieve this. This was stated by the Federal Chancellor at the Industry Day. A key part of his strategy involves allowing employees to occasionally train in the military as reservists while they work for companies.
AudioWüstner: Volunteerism Alone Not Enough for Expansion of the Military
Wüstner: Volunteerism Alone Not Enough for Expansion of the Military
Chairman of the German Bundeswehr Association André Wüstner considers it impractical that the German Bundeswehr can acquire additional personnel solely through volunteers. He welcomes the fact that the federal government is considering switching to a conscription model if necessary.
our website AKTUELLMon 23.06.2025 06:47Duration: 05:53 min
Link to Audio
Download
Audio Download [MP3 | 5.4 MB | 128 kbit/s]Audio Download [MP4 | 8.2 MB | AAC | 187.5 kbit/s]
Copyright: GERMAN BROADCASTING
Audio
Völz: Reservists Possess Special Qualities
Many are satisfied with Friedrich Merz's proposition, says Hans-Jürgen Völz, from the Federation of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW). Völz, who himself is a reservist, teaches at the Leadership Academy of the German Bundeswehr in Hamburg.
In his experience, reservists bring special qualities - such as discipline, mental toughness, leadership ability, crisis experience, adaptability, or a sense of duty. "These are all qualities that play a major role in companies," says Völz. "And these requirements fit many medium-sized companies. Both in crafts, in manufacturing, and in industrial companies."
AudioMilitary Duty: Otte Open to the Return of Conscription
Military Duty: Otte Open to the Return of Conscription
The German Bundeswehr is short of tens of thousands of soldiers. Can the issue be solved without the introduction of conscription? The new military ombudsman of the federal government, Henning Otte, expects a debate on this subject.
our website AKTUELLThu 05.06.2025 06:47Duration: 04:23 min
Link to Audio
Download
Audio Download [MP3 | 4 MB | 128 kbit/s]Audio Download [MP4 | 6.1 MB | AAC | 187.5 kbit/s]
Copyright: GERMAN BROADCASTING
Audio
VideoYour Opinion on Conscription and Higher Defense Spending
Your Opinion on Conscription and Higher Defense Spending
How much trust do you have in the German Bundeswehr, and should conscription be reinstated? Reporter Stefan Ganß spoke with passersby in Erfurt and presents the results of our website's online poll.
ARD MittagsmagazinWed 25.06.2025 12:10Duration: 09:45 min
Information about the Broadcast
Link to the Video
Rights: MIDDLE GERMAN BROADCASTING
Video
Voluntary Enlistment Instead of Conscription
Matthias Bauer, spokesperson for the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion in Thuringia, finds Friedrich Merz's idea plausible. "It's already common practice in many small and large companies today that employees are released for socially relevant tasks," he says, citing examples such as disaster protection, volunteer fire departments, or caring for relatives.
However, Bauer hopes that it remains a voluntary enlistment and that legal conscription does not return.
New Section
Military Service
Recruiting new personnel for the Bundeswehr: Voluntary or mandatory?
Potential Return of Military Conscription? Bundeswehr Association Uncertain about Volunteerism
The Bundeswehr needs personnel: Initially, volunteers are to be sought. However, the Bundeswehr Association is unsure about the feasibility of meeting its needs solely through volunteers.
more
Low-Flying Aircraft
Bundeswehr Exercise: Combat helicopters fly over North Thuringia
Combat helicopters and aircraft of the Bundeswehr will be noticeable and audible over North Thuringia in the coming days. Among other things, low-level flights will be practiced.
more
But somehow, the manpower strength of the Bundeswehr must be supported, emphasizes Voelz from the BVMW. Currently, there are 34,000 reservists in Germany, which accounts for approximately one-fifth of the number needed in the event of a conflict. The economist assumes that many companies are unfamiliar with how to respond if their employees express an interest in serving as reservists.
Companies will be financially exempt
"The Federation of Medium-Sized Businesses supports its member companies, if they have questions on this matter," explains Bauer. Often, it concerns issues like how it will affect wage payments. "Certain companies are unaware that the company will be completely relieved financially when a reservist or reservist is called up for training. The burden is naturally administrative, but the financial security is present."
The discussion initiated by Friedrich Merz would at least ensure that these bureaucratic aspects are now better understood.
- visit our website NOW in the ARD-MediathekARD MEDIATHEK
visit our website NOW RADIO | 29. June 2025 | 06:04 Uhr
New Area
The Bundeswehr's goal, as proposed by Friedrich Merz, is to increase active personnel to 260,000 and establish a larger reserve of up to 460,000 soldiers, with mandatory conscription being considered as a precautionary measure[1][3]. Germany's defense budget is expected to increase massively, from €60 billion to €160 billion annually by 2030-2032. This increase in spending will translate into considerable orders for German defense companies, enabling them to scale up production and technological capabilities[2]. As a result, German companies stand to strongly support this military expansion, benefiting from an increase in demand and aiming for a leading position in the European arms market by 2030[2]. While specific statements from various German business associations on this exact expansion proposal are not detailed in the search results, the industrial growth likely indicates general support within key sectors of the German economy[2]. This coordinated military and industrial expansion reflects Germany's commitment to NATO obligations and its strategic positioning against Russian threats in the coming years[1][2][3].
- Companies in Germany are expressing support for Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plan to increase the strength of the German Armed Forces by providing training opportunities to reservists, as it would release them from wage costs.
- The discussion on increasing the manpower strength of the Bundeswehr, proposed by Friedrich Merz, is expected to ensure better understanding of the administrative aspects related to reservist servicemen and women, potentially leading to more companies supporting this initiative.
){kind=link}