The German cabinet has passed a draft bill that reintroduces voluntary military service. This legislation may eventually lead to conscription if additional troops are deemed necessary.
This strategic shift comes in light of rising security concerns, particularly following Russia’s aggressive military actions in Ukraine.
Compulsory military service was eliminated in Germany back in 2011 during Angela Merkel's chancellorship. Now, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has prioritized enhancing the military to respond to any potential threats from Russia, stating, We are now back on the path to a military service army.”
Germany aims to increase troop numbers from 182,000 to 260,000 by the early 2030s to align with NATO's new force goals, and the defense ministry is also focusing on raising reservist numbers to 200,000.
The government’s plans were also influenced by requests from former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging European allies to take more responsibility for their defense.
In a bid to attract volunteers, the government will send online questionnaires to all 18-year-olds, assessing their willingness to serve. The process is mandatory for men and optional for women. Quentin Gärtner, an 18-year-old leader of the Federal Pupils’ Conference, expressed a desire for the younger generation to be consulted in decisions that affect them, saying, We can only do our part when included in every decision-making process.”
Concerns have arisen regarding the backlash against compulsory service, with some political factions advocating for improving the military as a workplace rather than reverting to conscription.
As the public sentiment evolves in this direction, the defense ministry's promotions and recruitment efforts have already shown a 28% increase in new enlistments year-on-year, igniting discussions about how best to respond to identified service needs.
