Bundeswehr: The Future of Conscription
Union intensifies push for increased mandatory service: public support found
Berlin (dpa) - As Russia's threat looms, the coalition government is urging the SPD to decide on a possible return to conscription quickly. Chancellery Chief Thorsten Frei explains, "We can't wait for doomsday." The black-red coalition needs to reach a clear agreement on when it's time to change strategies to achieve the widely recognized goal of expanding the Bundeswehr.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes an extra 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers are needed to effectively meet the current threat level. Current troop numbers stand slightly over 180,000.
Klingbeil Looks to Incentives for Conscription
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil wants to continue focusing on volunteer service, offering incentives such as a free driver's license. However, he's willing to initiate preparations for mandatory service. The government should "already establish the conditions for mandatory conscription," Klingbeil advised Neue Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft. This infrastructure includes sufficient recruitment centers, barracks, and trainers.
Klingbeil emphasizes that the return to the old conscription system where all young men of a year were drafted is off the table. This was no longer the case before the suspension of conscription in 2011, as the number of those eligible but not drafted had increased, sparking discussions on fairness.
Pistorius Pushes for Germany to Boost Troop Count
Pistorius' assessment indicates the need to grow the Bundeswehr to 230,000 to 240,000 soldiers. Currently, the target size is 203,000, a number that has not been achieved through voluntary recruitment alone. Frei finds it hard to imagine achieving this goal through volunteer services alone. The coalition must first agree on the new target size and consider the timeline for voluntary recruitment, Frei said. "Given the immense threat level, we may not have time for voluntary recruitment."
Frei Disagrees with SPD Faction Leader Miersch
SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch interpreted the coalition agreement's commitment to a service based on volunteering as no return to conscription before the next federal election. Frei argued that this contradicts the agreements made during coalition negotiations and does not align with Pistorius' statements. If voluntary enlistment falls short of the goal, "it only makes sense to look for another way."
Public Opinion: A Majority Favors Conscription
A survey by YouGov, commissioned by dpa, shows that 54 percent of Germans support reintroducing mandatory military service. Forty percent believe the military service should remain voluntary. Conversely, 69 percent of Left voters are in favor of maintaining voluntary military service. However, among voters from all other parties represented in the Bundestag, a majority supports conscription. The Left party remains fundamentally opposed to conscription.
The Road Ahead
The alliance between the Union and SPD could reinstate conscription for men on their own, while extending conscription to women would require an amendment to the Basic Law, which would need a two-thirds majority, involving the support of the Greens and the Left. The return to mandatory service for men may take place within the current coalition, while extending conscription to women could be a contentious issue, given the Left party's strong opposition.
The increasing security demands are pushing political leaders to prepare for conscription’s reintroduction if necessary. The government is actively working on a new military service bill, expected to be introduced by January next year, reflecting their intent to be ready for the possible reintroduction of conscription if necessary.
- In light of the escalating war-and-conflicts, the necessity of policy-and-legislation changes regarding military service is becoming increasingly important in German politics, as the Bundeswehr expands and the coalition government considers reinstating conscription.
- General-news outlets have reported growing public support for a return to conscription, with 54 percent of Germans advocating for mandatory military service, indicating a shift in public opinions related to policy-and-legislation and war-and-conflicts.
