The Russian invasion of Ukraine dusted off old debates about the need to establish compulsory military service in European countries and, although it was not the first continental country to take action on the matter, Germany took a step this Thursday that will have enormous implications for the rest of Europe.
The parties that make up the government coalition reached a final agreement at dawn to reform military service. It took Christian Democrats and Social Democrats several months—and several attempts—to establish a common position on a thorny issue.
According to the parliamentary spokespersons of the CDU/CSU, Jens Spahnand from the SPD, Matthias Mierschmilitary service will continue to be voluntary, as long as enough volunteers show up, of course.
According to the plan drawn up by the red-black coalition, the Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) must enlist 80,000 new soldiers next year. The reform aims for the Army to have 260,000 permanent troops and another 200,000 reservists by 2035.
The measure is part of the chancellor’s plans Friedrich Merz to convert the Bundeswehr into “the strongest conventional army in Europe” to confront a Russia of Vladimir Putin which maintains its advance, although slow, on the eastern front of Ukraine.
If the mark, established based on the commitments made with NATO, is not reached, the coalition partners have committed to reactivate mandatory military service.
However, the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistoriuswanted to make it clear that the activation of the obligation in case of not meeting the objectives will not be automatic. It will be necessary to approve a new law in the Bundestag first.
Pistorius emphasizes that this exit would be, rather, a “last resort”, a last bullet in the chamber to keep the reform afloat. The social democratic leader, in fact, shot down a similar draft in October that contemplated holding automatic draws to fill personnel vacancies in the Army.
The big question that young Germans are now asking is what will happen if compulsory military service is reactivated. In this scenario, still hypothetical, the authorities will hold a lottery among all the young people – considered fit after undergoing a mandatory medical examination – to decide who will take up arms.
The reform reached this Thursday, which will not come into force until the first day of January of next year, also determines that people born after 2008 will receive a questionnaire to determine their willingness to serve in the Armed Forces.
The men will be obliged to respond. Women, however, do not. In addition, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo the aforementioned military fitness medical examination, “a free state physical fitness test,” in the words of the Christian Democrat. Henning Ottedelegate for the Armed Forces in the Bundestag.
Recruits who serve more than twelve months will be considered “temporary soldiers.” Those who serve less time will instead be “military service volunteers.”
The remuneration of those who serve will increase significantly. At the outset, however, volunteers will receive about 2,600 euros per month. After completing the first year of service, the authorities will also grant a subsidy to obtain a car and truck driving license.
“We will have more commitment within voluntariness,” commented Spahn, who celebrated having agreed on “a very, very good law.” The Christian Democrats intend, as the head of the CSU regional group verbalized, Alexander Hoffmannfor the Bundeswehr to once again occupy a central place in society.
Pistorius intends to emphasize “how attractive, necessary and useful service in the Bundeswehr is.” “Other European countries, especially in the north, show that the principle of voluntariness works when it is accompanied by attractiveness, and I hope that exactly the same thing happens in our country,” he declared.
“There is no cause for concern or fear,” added the Defense Minister. “The more capable our Armed Forces are at deterring and defending – through weaponry, training and personnel – the less likely we will be to engage in conflict.”