Mandatory medical examinations and questionnaires for men. If necessary, the new German plan allows for the recruitment of a limited number of people.
The German parliament approved this Friday a plan to attract military recruits, as the number of enlisted personnel has been falling since the end of compulsory military service in 2011, when it was allowed to return to conscription.
The plan, a modified version of a proposal made by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government in August, stops short of reintroducing compulsory military service, although leave this possibility open to a limited number of peopleif necessary.
The lower house of the German parliament, the Bundestag, approved the plan by 323 votes to 272, with one abstention.
In the last four years, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany has invested millions of euros in improving the equipment of its armed forces, after years of neglect. Now the Government wants to persuade more people to enlist, a stance that is also being adopted by other European countries.
Last week, France presented a program to train thousands of 18 and 19-year-old volunteers in the military from next year, while Belgium and Poland plan to attract more people to military service.
“Our allies are watching Germany”said the German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, in an intervention in parliament, noting that the country has become a “defense model in Europe”.
Germany suspended compulsory military service for men in 2011 and has since faced difficulties in attracting volunteers.
In recent years, the number of military personnel has remained just above 180 thousand, which contrasts with the 300 thousand people registered in 2001, of which more than a third were recruits. The Government wants to increase this number to 260,000 in the next decade and also states that it will also need around 200,000 reservists, more than double the current number.
The plan approved this Friday provides more attractive wages and conditions for those who enlist for a short period, better training and more flexibility regarding the duration of service, starting from a minimum of six months.
Although the legislation establishes annual targets for the next 10 years in relation to the size of the armed forces and their reserves, there is no automatic clause for any change towards mandatory conscription.
However, with the approval of the new law, from 2026 onwards, quizzes to young people of both sexes who turn 18 about their willingness and ability to serve, with men will be obliged to answer them. Young males will also be required to undergo medical examinations.
The plan was criticized by the opposition, with Left Party MP Desiree Becker today calling on young people to “strike against the reintroduction of compulsory military service” and to find out about conscientious objection, which allows them to refuse military service.
Ten European Union countries have mandatory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.
