According to him, it is necessary to re -open a debate on compulsory military service, especially because of the deteriorating security situation in Europe and uncertainty in transatlantic relationships.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke to introduce a new form of compulsory military service to strengthen the armed forces of the country. TASR reports this according to Sunday’s report by DPA.
According to Steinmeier, it is necessary to open a debate on the return of the conscripts due to the changing security situation in Europe, especially in connection with Russian aggression in Ukraine and the attitude of the current US administration towards transatlantic relations. “I am for compulsory military service,” stressed the President in an interview with the ZDF public service television, which they should broadcast on Sunday evening.
Historical Context of Mandatory Service
Germany introduced compulsory military service a year after the re -acquisition of sovereignty in 1956. It was canceled in 2011, when it terminated the consultations and closed the levy offices that processed their registration. However, the conservation obligation has remained enshrined in the German Constitution in the event of an emergency to this day.
According to the President, Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius is working properly to make the service in the armed forces (Bundeswehre) more attractive. However, it is not clear whether this will be enough. “That is why we need a debate on the conscription duty, although it cannot be introduced from day to day,” Steinmeier said.
The government of Friedrich Merz’s office has committed itself to supporting voluntary military service in the coalition agreement, DPA recalled.
