"There's a push for reinstating mandatory military service and drafting a law to make it effective immediately by the union" - Military draft could be legislated once again
Germany Prepares for Potential Reintroduction of Conscription
Germany is taking steps to strengthen its military amid rising security threats in Europe, particularly concerning Russia. A legislative plan is underway to reinstate compulsory military screening for all 18-year-old men starting in 2028, with the potential for fully reintroducing mandatory military service if security conditions worsen and parliament approves it.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is advocating for a system combining voluntary enlistment with the possibility of selective conscription if recruitment goals are not met or if a security crisis escalates. Currently, voluntary recruitment is prioritized, but mandatory elements such as a questionnaire and physical examination for 18-year-old males are being reintroduced gradually to support this effort.
By 2026, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire regarding their health and willingness to serve. For men, filling it out will be mandatory. Starting 2028, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo physical and medical screenings, regardless of voluntary interest in military service. Legislation formalizing these changes is expected to be presented to the cabinet around August 2025.
However, it's important to note that there is no publicly documented advocacy from Thomas Roewkamp, a member of the CDU, for reintroducing conscription recently. The key policymakers named are Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who are leading the initiative.
Roewkamp has suggested that the federal government should be legally empowered to reintroduce conscription immediately. It's not clear whether his proposal has been formally presented or endorsed by the CDU or SPD. The questionnaire will inquire about the respondents' interest in serving in the German Armed Forces, and men will be required to fill it out, while women's participation will be voluntary.
Roewkamp has expressed concerns about the current plans for increasing military personnel in the German Armed Forces. He believes that it may not be possible to build up the necessary personnel within a short time using the voluntary approach. However, it's not clear whether his proposal has received support from the federal government or other political parties.
Roewkamp considers the current bill of law to be "too ambitious in time" and unsuitable for achieving NATO's defense goals. He is confident that no law leaves the German Bundestag as it entered it, implying that his proposal could potentially be passed. However, it's not clear whether Roewkamp's proposal is for reintroducing conscription for men, women, or both genders.
In conclusion, while conscription is not currently active, Germany is preparing a legal and procedural framework that makes reinstatement feasible within a few years if the national security environment demands it. The focus remains on voluntary enlistment, with mandatory elements serving as a fallback option if needed.
Boris Pistorius, the Defense Minister, is advocating for a system in Germany that combines voluntary enlistment with the possibility of selective conscription, hinting at a potential return to military service for men in the near future, as outlined by the new legislative plan. Meanwhile, Thomas Rowekamp, a member of the CDU, has suggested the federal government should have the legal power to immediately reintroduce conscription, a proposal that is yet to be formally presented or endorsed by the CDU or SPD.
