Compulsory military service back? Germans demand military service for everyone!

Compulsory military service back? Germans demand military service for everyone!

What does the future of conscription look like in Germany? This question is currently on the minds of many citizens, and a recent survey shows that three quarters of Germans would like to see compulsory military service reintroduced. Loud MDR Most respondents support both military and community service for women and men. It is interesting that only 18% call for conscription only for men. Approval is particularly high among supporters of the Union and SPD, while the majority of left-wing opponents are against it.

But a simple return to conscription, as some imagine, is seen as difficult to implement. Severin Pleyer, political scientist at the University of the Bundeswehr in Hamburg, expresses concerns that it is not yet clear what the aim of the reintroduction should be: more soldiers or reservists. Since compulsory military service was suspended in 2011, many necessary structures, such as the district military replacement offices, have been dismantled. The medical muster points have also suffered, and the condition of the barracks leaves much to be desired. In addition, there is a lack of trainers and the unclear picture regarding those currently subject to military service, so that a quick return to compulsory military service is considered to be hardly possible ZDF reported.

Geopolitical influences and security policy changes

This debate about compulsory military service is not least a reaction to the geopolitical changes in Europe. Since the USA ceased to be a reliable partner for Ukraine, the discussion about its reintroduction has reignited. Deutschland.de highlights that conscription was introduced in 1956 to increase security during the Cold War. At that time, it was required that adult men perform military service for between 6 and 18 months or, alternatively, do community service in the social sector. The shift to a professional army was driven by the belief that a more professional force could better meet the demands of modern warfare.

In this context, conscription is seen both as an opportunity to recruit soldiers and as a means of social responsibility. However, it is also warned that reactivation may not be considered a long-term solution. Critics argue for a focus on defensive alliances in Europe, throughout Germany the discourse remains charged as proponents push for a swift return to mandatory service. The Bundeswehr is aiming to grow from around 180,000 to 200,000 soldiers by 2031, and the discussion about compulsory military service could play a decisive role in this.

The advantages and disadvantages of this intensive debate about compulsory military service in Germany remain on the agenda, and it remains to be seen how politicians will react to the clear majority of the population. If you look at the opinions of citizens, it becomes clear: the topic has the potential to have a lasting impact on the security policy discourses of tomorrow.