- Kretschmer wants to ask people about U.S. guns and conscription.
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer advocates for the deployment of far-reaching US weapons systems in Germany and for possible military or service conscription to be put to a national referendum. The CDU politician described the planned deployments from 2026 as "absolutely right" in a "Welt" interview. "Wrong, however, is that these weapons are now to be stationed entirely without debate," Kretschmer emphasized.
A discussion about the return of conscription or a service obligation is also necessary. "That too must be discussed and decided. I would ask the Germans about it," said the Minister President. The result of the national referendum should then be implemented by the federal government.
Pistorius bets on new military service model
At the margins of a NATO summit in July, the US government and the federal government announced that the USA wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026 that reach far into Russia. To make the Bundeswehr more combat-capable, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is betting on a new military service model with a basic military service of six months, an option for an additional voluntary military service of up to 17 months, and a mandatory registration in which young men must declare their willingness and ability to serve in the military - young women can do this voluntarily.
Kretschmer, who is currently campaigning for the state election on September 1, also called on the traffic light coalition in Berlin to fundamentally change course in migration policy. People without asylum grounds or criminals must be returned to their home countries as soon as possible, including to Syria and Afghanistan. The federal government must also engage in talks with the Taliban or Syria's ruler Bashar al-Assad. "The goal must be to reduce the number of immigrants from the current 300,000 to 50,000 or 30,000 per year," said Kretschmer.
The staff of the federal government should carefully consider the implementation of the national referendum's results regarding the potential deployment of US weapons systems in Germany. The Saxony's Minister President advocated for the involvement of the staff in this decision-making process.
Under the new military service model proposed by Defense Minister Pistorius, the Bundeswehr staff will play a crucial role in preparing young men for the mandatory registration and training them if they volunteer for the extended service.
