Pistorius defends military service model against Lindner
Lindner and Buschmann criticize the new military service model of the Defense Ministry. The FDP ministers lament the high costs of compulsory military service. Defense Minister Pistorius defends himself against the criticism and points out an uncomfortable truth to the Liberals.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismisses the criticism from coalition partner FDP on his new military service model. In a letter to Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, the SPD politician contradicts the two FDP ministers, who had given financial, economic, and legal reasons for opposing compulsory military service.
"Security and defense cost money," writes Pistorius in a letter. This may be "uncomfortable for some," but the basis for a credible deterrent. "If you point to the economic costs of military service, I kindly ask you to consider what the failure of deterrence would mean for our economy," writes Pistorius. And: "The threat we face is serious and requires that we act now." He thanks them for their "focused contributions."
The FDP politicians are against Pistorius' proposal, which suggests a six-month basic military service for a selection of age groups, with an option for additional voluntary military service up to an additional 17 months. This should be accompanied by a mandatory registration, in which young men must declare their readiness and ability for military service, and young women can do the same. Gender equality in military service is not provided for in the Basic Law so far.
FDP rules out universal military service
Lindner and Buschmann welcomed the debate on increasing military readiness in a letter, as reported first by "Die Welt." "We are united by the goal of making the Bundeswehr one of the most modern and powerful armies," it said in the letter. "We can only achieve this goal with the corresponding societal acceptance. This excludes, in our opinion, the reintroduction of universal military service or conscription."
They referred to economic losses that the ifo Institute determined in a short expert opinion for the Federal Finance Ministry: enlisting a quarter of a population cohort would result in a decrease in national income of 17.1 billion Euros.
Pistorius: Military registration is necessary
The Defense Minister counters by referring to the gravity of the situation and making several incorrect assumptions. It is no longer about filling personnel gaps with military service, but about building a reserve to quickly and adequately mobilize forces and defend the alliance area. "For this, we urgently need a military registration and the consistent implementation of military oversight, also making the potential of older reservists and reservists accessible," writes Pistorius.
This can also be understood as a jab against repeated proposals from the FDP to recruit civilians with prior military training. Since the abolition of conscription in 2011, the last cohorts will soon reach an age of 40, while many reservists are now significantly older than 50.
Germany is missing approximately 180,000 soldiers
Pistorius accounts for things differently. According to the current assessment of Germany's tasks in the Bundnisverteidigung, approximately 420,000 men and women are needed in the armed forces. He warns, "we are currently with around 180,000 soldiers and soldiers, and around 60,000 in reserve, far from the required scope."
A general conscription is not his goal. So, ifo calculations regarding economic consequences could not be referenced to his model. However, there is apparently a majority consensus in the population for a conscription.
Pistorius refers to the current world situation and Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. "We have been observing constant increasing hybrid attacks on our networks and critical infrastructure for some time. In addition, there is consensus among many experts and experts that an attack by Russia on NATO territory can no longer be ruled out after 2029," he writes to his cabinet colleagues. Credible deterrence within the Alliance is a prerequisite for continuing to live in peace, freedom, and prosperity.
- Despite their criticisms, Christian Lindner and Marco Buschmann, as FDP ministers, oppose the reintroduction of universal military service in Germany's defense policy, as suggested by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
- In response to the FDP's concerns about the financial costs of the proposed six-month basic military service, Pistorius argues that the failure to maintain a credible deterrent could have severe economic consequences for the country.
- Boris Pistorius, the German Defense Minister, emphasizes the importance of military registration and utilizing the potential of older reservists to address the shortage of around 180,000 soldiers required for effective defense, which he acknowledges as a pressing issue in the current global climate.
