Military party, AfD, advocates for resumption of compulsory military service
In the political landscape of Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has announced plans to submit a motion to the Bundestag after the summer recess, aiming to reinstate compulsory military service, a practice that was discontinued in 2011 [1]. This proposal, if passed, would mark a significant shift in Germany's defense strategy.
However, the AfD's stance on this issue is not unanimous, and the party does not currently appear to have a publicly unified position advocating for the reintroduction of conscription [2]. The demand for the reinstatement of conscription has been a subject of debate within the AfD for some time [3].
Thuringian state chairman of the AfD, Björn Höcke, has expressed opposition to conscription "in the current social climate" [1]. On the other hand, Rüdiger Lucassen, an AfD defense politician, argues that conscription is essential for ensuring Germany's defense capabilities, despite potential unpopularity among the younger generation [4].
This internal party dispute is particularly evident in the eastern German state associations, where some members want to position the party as a "peace party" and are critical of the idea of reintroducing conscription [5]. Conversely, others, such as Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD parliamentary group leader in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, aim to strengthen the Bundeswehr as a defense army without fueling conflicts [6].
Across Germany, public opinion on reinstating conscription is mixed and contentious. Security experts note that the proposal remains "heavily contested," reflecting widespread skepticism in Germany at large toward compulsory military service [7].
As the AfD prepares to submit its motion to the Bundestag in September, the debate on conscription and Germany's defense capabilities continues to evolve, with potential implications for the country's political and social landscape.
Sources:
- Der Spiegel
- Deutsche Welle
- BBC News
- Reuters
- Tagesspiegel
- Deutsche Welle
- The Local
The internal debates within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, regarding a motion to reinstate compulsory military service, are apparent, with figures such as Björn Höcke expressing opposition and Rüdiger Lucassen advocating for its importance in securing Germany's defense capabilities. This policy-and-legislation issue, a subject of political disagreement, is also receiving attention in the general-news sphere due to the mixed and contentious public opinion on the matter.
