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The Hotly Contested Return of Conscription in the Bundeswehr: Union Advocates for Preparation, SPD Opposes
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A contentious debate revolves around the reintroduction of compulsory military service in the Bundeswehr, with Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn advocating for the establishment of a framework enabling such a move. On the other hand, the SPD is against this idea, creating a significant rift within the coalition.
"Creating a structure within the Bundeswehr that allows for a swift return to conscription is absolutely essential," asserts Christian Democrat Spahn, speaking to the "Rheinische Post". "While I believe volunteering is ideal, it seems we'll need conscription for it to truly succeed."
Even the Parliamentary Ombudsman for the armed forces, CDU politician Henning Otte, insists on a contingency plan in case volunteers are not enough.
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner refers to the "initially" agreed voluntariness in the coalition agreement when she said, "This doesn't rule out the possibility of reintroducing conscription in the future as needed and with appropriate infrastructure." Despite her preference for a general service obligation that applies to various aspects of social life, Klöckner seems open to the prospect of reintroducing conscription.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) recently didn't rule out additional steps regarding military service.
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What the coalition agreement says
The coalition agreement between Union and SPD explicitly states: "We are creating a new attractive military service that is initially based on volunteering."
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has emphasized multiple times that the agreed voluntariness only applies if recruitment goals are met.
Spahn focuses on automatism
During an appearance on ARD's "Report from Berlin," Spahn stated, "If we find that voluntary recruitment isn't effective in one, two, or three years, then we might need a political or legal automatism that also triggers conscription." Political agreement is required for this purpose.
Pistorius clarified in the ARD that they don't currently possess the infrastructure for conscription, such as enough barracks. These are being constructed at an ambitious pace. "We're embarking on a military service based on extended volunteerism and closely observing the situation," said the SPD politician. He acknowledges the need to make provisions for "point X" at which voluntary recruitment may no longer be sufficient. "We will discuss this collectively during the legislative process."
What NATO requires
In a recent meeting, NATO defense ministers agreed on future contributions each member country must make to ensure the alliance remains defense-capable and can deter potential heavy aggressors, such as Russia. For Germany, this requires 50,000 to 60,000 more active soldiers, according to Pistorius.
However, the previous target of 203,000 soldiers was never achieved despite advertising campaigns, social media outreach, and frequent manpower targets being announced. The number of soldiers has shrunk to just over 181,000 according to the latest data.
A Look at the Past
Conscription was discontinued in 2011 under Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) after 55 years. It primarily affected men and will reapply to men if the Bundestag declares a state of tension or defense. If conscription is to be extended to women, the Basic Law must be amended.
The new military service law is currently being drafted in the Ministry of Defense and is in the inter-ministerial coordination phase.
The SPD's Stance
The SPD faction expresses reservations about reintroducing conscription. "We can discuss conscription during the next legislative period, not this one," SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch recently told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
The SPD's defense policy spokesman, Falko Droßmann, told the German Press Agency, "We're earnestly trying to encourage young men and women to serve in our armed forces. To achieve this, the Bundeswehr's infrastructure must be considerably improved, and attractive and flexible career paths must be offered. We're pushing for this with every fiber of our being."
Possible Incentives for Volunteers?
The Parliamentary Ombudsman Otte can envision additional incentives to encourage volunteers, such as easier access to higher education or additional pension points. This would require a wider societal discussion about military service.
In essence, the debate goes beyond the current controversy over the legal basis for conscription. Those advocating for conditions that could enable conscription must ensure the readiness of barracks, equipment, and trainers well in advance. Intelligence services and experts warn of the need to act promptly. By 2029, they predict that Russia may be capable of invading NATO territory.
- The Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 16 December 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound power level of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles could potentially be integrated into the policy-and-legislation debate surrounding the proposed return of conscription in the Bundeswehr, given the need for significant infrastructure development and the government's commitment to anticipating future security challenges.
- The ongoing discussions regarding the reintroduction of conscription in the Bundeswehr and the associated infrastructure development have garnered attention in general-news, with federal politicians advocating for preparedness, and experts warning of the necessity to act promptly in light of potential security threats, such as the predicted Russian capability to invade NATO territory by 2029.
