Discussions about enhancing Germany’s defense capabilities are intensifying, with calls for the reintroduction of conscription amidst a need for 20,000 new soldiers by year-end. While a significant financial package has been agreed upon, doubts remain regarding the feasibility of reinstating mandatory military service due to infrastructure limitations. Some politicians advocate for a larger military force, while others criticize the push for conscription as outdated. The suspension of conscription in 2011 complicates any potential revival of mandatory service.
Amid ongoing discussions about enhancing Germany’s defense capabilities, the potential reintroduction of conscription is gaining traction. According to the Reservists’ Association, there is an urgent requirement for 20,000 new soldiers by the end of this year.
The question arises: will the substantial investments in defense be accompanied by a revival of mandatory military service? Patrick Sensburg, the president of the Reservists’ Association of the Bundeswehr, has emphasized the need for swift action, highlighting that the armed forces require 20,000 fresh recruits this year, as reported by various media outlets.
During exploratory talks on Tuesday, the Union and SPD reached an agreement on a significant financial package that could amount to several hundred billion euros. This move comes in response to the U.S. withdrawal from support efforts in Ukraine. However, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed doubts regarding the rapid reintroduction of general conscription, which is a demand put forth by the Union.
Challenges in Accommodating New Conscripts
In a recent appearance on tagesthemen, the SPD politician involved in the exploratory discussions highlighted the lack of necessary infrastructure to effectively integrate new conscripts. “We currently lack the barracks required to house all conscripts from a single cohort,” the minister remarked, advocating for providing opportunities to those interested and who can be effectively utilized.
Pistorius had previously introduced a draft law in November aimed at reinstating military registration; however, it was sidelined due to the collapse of the traffic light coalition. The proposal suggests that all young individuals should be contacted regarding their willingness and capability to serve, with a mandatory response for men and an optional one for women.
Pistorius commended the agreement between the Union and SPD concerning substantial financial allocations, referring to it as “a significant and essential step forward.”
Calls for a Larger Military Force
CSU politician Florian Hahn has called for the swift reintroduction of conscription within this year. This sentiment has been echoed by other Union members, including CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter, who noted that such a proposal could be easily enacted with a simple majority in the Bundestag.
CSU defense politician Thomas Silberhorn expressed concern in the ‘Welt’ that the Bundeswehr’s current strength of 180,000 troops falls short of the target of 185,000, a figure established when conscription was suspended in 2011. He stated that a total of 270,000 soldiers is essential for effective defense. Former military commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels (SPD) also supported the call for reinstating conscription this year, though he initially opposed combining it with mandatory service for women or social service obligations.
Support for this movement also came from former Green foreign minister Joschka Fischer, who admitted, “I was a proponent of its abolition,” adding that this decision was misguided and needs to be revisited.
As the United States halts military aid to Ukraine three years into the conflict, questions arise about the implications for Germany’s defense strategy.
Opposition to the Reintroduction of Conscription
SPD defense expert Falko Droßmann has criticized the Union’s demands as “impossible and outdated,” labeling them as a “purely populist proposal.” He pointed out that district military replacement offices have been dismantled, and there is currently no organizational structure for conscription, barracks, trainers, or necessary equipment. Agnieszka Brugger, the defense policy spokesperson for the Green parliamentary group, shares a similar viewpoint.
Conscription in Germany was suspended in 2011 under Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) after 55 years of service. This move effectively eliminated military and civil service, as all conscription-related structures were dismantled at the same time. According to conscription law, mandatory service for men can only be reinstated when the Bundestag declares a state of tension or defense.