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Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, is working on a new law to make military service more appealing. The goal is to get more people to sign up voluntarily—but the plan also includes options for bringing back compulsory service if not enough people join.
In an interview with public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, June 22nd, Pistorius said the focus is still on voluntary service. However, he wants the new law to include backup measures in case the military doesn’t meet its recruitment goals. This is necessary in order not to have to draft a completely new law.
Germany ended mandatory military service in 2011. But now, with the Bundeswehr (Germany’s armed forces) facing a serious shortage of troops, the idea of bringing back some form of conscription is gaining support.
According to Pistorius, the Bundeswehr needs about 60,000 more active soldiers. To help fill that gap, he plans to improve pay and living conditions for volunteers. Looking ahead, Pistorius wants to build a reserve force of 200,000 soldiers.
Of the governing parties, politicians in the centre-right CDU are openly supporting the return of conscription, but the SPD is split on the issue.
Matthias Miersch, the SPD’s parliamentary group leader, opposes introducing mandatory service during the current legislative period.
In contrast, party leader Lars Klingbeil supports making necessary preparations. The Social Democrats plan to take an official position on the matter at their party conference next weekend.
