After protracted negotiations, Germany’s governing coalition has reached a landmark agreement on the future of military service in the country.
The deal, finalised on Wednesday evening during a meeting between Christian Democrat (CDU) faction leader Jens Spahn, Social Democrat (SPD) parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch, and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, was presented at a joint press conference in Berlin on Thursday morning.
Volunteers first, possible lottery later
The reform centres on a voluntary model initially, but includes provisions for compulsory service if recruitment targets are not met.
“We will have more commitment in voluntary service,” Spahn declared, stressing that a “binding growth path” for troop numbers will be enshrined in law.
He added: “If voluntary service ultimately proves insufficient, a compulsory system will be needed. We want Germany to be able to defend itself because it must be able to defend itself.”
For his part, Miersch acknowledged the difficulty of negotiations but hailed the outcome as a “successful conclusion.”
He emphasised the priority of voluntary service, while conceding that the Bundestag would revisit the issue if targets fall short.
Christian Social Union regional group leader Alexander Hoffmann described the agreement as delivering “the right mix of voluntary and compulsory service” and said it would help bring the Bundeswehr “back into the mainstream of society.”
READ ALSO: Who would be affected by Germany's new military service draft law?
What has been agreed?
- Voluntary first: Military service is set to remain voluntary, provided enough men enlist.
- Questionnaire: Young people born in 2008 or later will receive a survey on willingness to serve; men must respond, women can choose whether or not to do so.
- Medical checks: All 18-year-old men will undergo a comprehensive physical examination.
- Service categories: Those serving over 12 months become “temporary soldiers”; shorter terms classify as “voluntary military service personnel".
READ ALSO: Military service and ravioli reserves - How Germany is stepping up preparations for war
- Incentives: Pay will rise significantly and, after 12 months, recruits will receive subsidies for car and truck driving licences.
- Growth targets: The Bundeswehr aims to expand by 80,000 troops to 260,000 by 2035, in line with NATO commitments.
- Compulsory service: If the number of volunteers fail to fulfill the military's growth targets, compulsory service will be reintroduced via separate legislation, likely using a lottery system to draw from suitable candidates among those examined.
Comments