Germany Approves Legislation Requiring Young Men to Participate in Voluntary Military Service Survey
Germany is looking to strengthen its defense policy in response to the Ukraine–Russia conflict, sparking discussions about the possibility of reinstating conscription, which was abolished in 2011.
The German cabinet has approved a draft law that would require young men to participate in a survey to gauge their interest in serving in the German military. This initiative aims to increase troop numbers to fulfill NATO obligations without resorting to conscription.
Under the proposed law, approximately 300,000 teenagers who will turn 18 in Germany next year must indicate whether they are willing to serve in the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces.
The goal is to expand the current number of 180,000 soldiers to 203,000 by 2031, along with adding 60,000 reservists, aiming to have a total military strength of about 460,000 troops in case of war.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a shift towards a more robust foreign and defense policy, including allocating a 100-billion-euro special fund to enhance the German military.
Germany’s coalition government agreed in July to maintain defense spending above the NATO target of 2 percent of GDP, with an additional 30 billion euros set aside for 2028 to meet this goal.
Despite some opposition within the coalition, Scholz ruled out a return to mass conscription, emphasizing the importance of having a well-prepared military force.
In a meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, they discussed the need for decisive action in response to North Korea’s alleged involvement in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The Pentagon estimated that 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to eastern Russia for training purposes, with Russian President Vladimir Putin stating that Moscow would decide how to handle its mutual defense agreement with Pyongyang.
Germany’s coalition of Social Democrats, Free Democratic Party, and Greens is facing crisis talks this week to address economic decline issues. Speculations abound about the coalition’s future, with concerns about geopolitical tensions impacting their decisions.
Given the challenges faced by Germany’s economy, there are predictions of stagnation or a potential recession for the third consecutive year.
