CDU pushes for mandatory military or social service in Germany

In the debate about the personnel gaps in the Bundeswehr, the Chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Thomas Röwekamp (CDU), has called for the introduction of general mandatory service. This should apply equally to men and women, Röwekamp told the “Rheinische Post” newspaper on Saturday.

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“Of the approximately 700,000 school leavers, less than ten percent currently opt for voluntary service and only 10,000 for service in the Bundeswehr,” the CDU politician continued. “Anyone who wants to lead their life in freedom and prosperity cannot rely solely on the commitment of others.”

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“That's why I'm calling for the introduction of general mandatory service - for men and women alike,” Röwekamp continued. “This duty should not only serve the military, but can also be fulfilled in social or civil society areas.” This would not only strengthen defense capabilities, but also social cohesion.

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The chairman of the reservists' association, Patrick Sensburg, expressed similar views and once again called for a return to compulsory military service. “With NATO's capability targets of around 250,000 active soldiers, it must now be clear to everyone that it will not work without reactivating compulsory military service,” he told the Rheinische Post newspaper. “Even a sufficiently large reserve as a second pillar of the troops cannot be built up without compulsory military service.” Reservists come “significantly in large numbers from compulsory military service”.

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However, SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch categorically rejected such calls for a return to compulsory military service. “The coalition agreement clearly states that we are committed to voluntary service,” Miersch told the ‘Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung’ (NOZ). “We can negotiate compulsory military service in the next legislative period if necessary, but not in this one.”

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Even without conscription, the goal of 60,000 additional soldiers could be achieved “in the medium term”, Miersch continued. “Currently, there would not be nearly enough training capacity available.” The key question is: “How do we ensure that the service becomes attractive?” “That was not possible simply because of the lack of equipment,” the SPD parliamentary group leader continued in the NOZ newspaper.

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Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) could now invest and address young people differently. “We will now wait and see how the defense minister's concept for a voluntary increase in the number of troops takes off,” said Miersch.