Regarding a military service regulation concerning travel abroad, BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht has called for the resignation of Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). "The fact that men must have trips abroad approved by the Bundeswehr is reminiscent of GDR and Berlin Wall times, it has nothing to do with democracy and liberal democratic order," Wagenknecht told the news agency AFP on Sunday. Pistorius "should resign in light of this outrageous legal regulation."
Criticism of the regulation was also voiced by other parties. "This incredible rule shows that the reinstatement of compulsory military service is already a done deal in the government," Wagenknecht elaborated. However, the rule also proves right "those who are concerned that the Merz government is preparing the country for a major war." The law cannot "be constitutional," declared the BSW founder, demanding a referendum on compulsory military service.
Previously, a report in the "Frankfurter Rundschau" had caused a stir regarding a military service regulation concerning trips abroad. According to the report, men under 45 years of age must generally have longer stays abroad approved by the Bundeswehr due to the military service reform that has been in effect since the beginning of the year.
"According to the wording of the law, male persons from the age of 17 are obligated to have trips abroad lasting longer than three months approved in advance by the responsible career center of the Bundeswehr," a spokesman for the Federal Defense Ministry told the news agency AFP. "The background and guiding principle of this regulation is a reliable and meaningful military registration for cases of need."
However, the spokesman also clarified: "Since military service under current law is exclusively based on voluntariness, corresponding approvals must generally be granted." Through new administrative regulations, it will be clarified in the future "that the approval is deemed granted as long as military service is voluntary," the spokesman emphasized. More detailed information could not yet be provided.
The military service rule was also criticized by other parties. As long as military service is voluntary, there should be no real approval process for trips abroad, but rather a mere "notification requirement," said the Union's defense policy spokesman, Thomas Erndl, to the newspaper "Welt".
The Left Party, meanwhile, described the military service law as "poorly crafted." Deputy parliamentary group leader Desirée Becker warned the "Welt" of a connection between the regulation and the introduction of compulsory military service. "It is not without reason that we have been warning since the coalition took office of its reintroduction and the massive infringement of fundamental rights that would accompany it," Becker declared.
The security policy spokeswoman for the Greens, Sara Nanni, called for clarity from the Bundeswehr. "Citizens have a right to know quickly whether and if so what reporting obligations they have," Nanni told "Welt".
The military service reform came into force on January 1. What was decided was a reintroduction of military registration and compulsory medical examination of entire age cohorts. The goal is a personnel increase for the troops. The decision for military service is to remain voluntary, provided that the targeted personnel goals are achieved. The background to the reform was new NATO requirements in light of the increased threat from Russia.
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