Media coverage analysis - "Pistorius' plans for mandatory military service lacks conviction for some": Not a pivotal moment
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has introduced a proposal for a refreshed version of military conscription, with the aim of quickly increasing the Bundeswehr's manpower in case of a defense emergency. Each year, 40,000 eligible individuals will be recorded, with 5,000 new conscripts recruited annually from 2025 onwards. The goal is to grow this number year by year, according to Pistorius. However, this idea doesn't sit well with everyone; here's what the newspapers have to say:
Newspaper comments on Boris Pistorius' military conscription plans for the Bundeswehr
"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung": "Pistorius' conscription revival plans are at best a stepping stone. (...) The coalition's overall sentiment has not even reached the willingness to risk a constitutional amendment. (...) Pistorius's cost-saving plan aligns with Scholz' current strategy to support the understaffed Bundeswehr in areas where the lack of recruits is not a major concern. (...) Pistorius is still miles away from making the country war-ready again - this would involve uncomfortable debates on military justice."
"Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung": "Conscription doesn't mean compulsory military service - it's enshrined in the German Constitution that no one forced to serve against their conscience. Turning a year group into a compulsory group for service, offering them similar opportunities as in Sweden is a viable approach that the SPD, Greens, and Liberals should not obstruct. To make this happen, a constitutional amendment is required, which demands a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag. Adapting to the 'spirit of the times' and ensuring equal treatment of the sexes needs political courage."
"Augsburger Allgemeine": "A modern army doesn't necessarily mean a large army, but a capable one. With its advanced technology like Eurofighters boasting 27 kilometers of cables and dozens of computers, the Bundeswehr needs specialized personnel. It's unrealistic to assume they'd come from a conscript army. The more advanced the tasks, the fiercer the competition for the brightest minds, and the Bundeswehr needs to stand out as an employer."
"Frankfurter Rundschau": "The conversation about the Bundeswehr's personnel shortages centers around the 'Conscription Debate' - it's clear this involves no return to mandatory military service for all 18-year-olds. The armed forces require approximately 20,000 people, mostly skilled workers for increasingly technical tasks. In the present environment of growing global tensions, it's necessary for more individuals to consider this line of work. Questionnaires for conscripted men and women could facilitate this decision-making process. But this must not become a starting point for reintroducing conscription."
"Badische Zeitung" (Freiburg): "Pistorius' proposals aren't revolutionary; 'conscription light' is what he's presenting. (...) The Chancellor and the SPD have stopped him from pushing for a more significant shift in defense policy. (...) With fewer troops and reservists needed for combat readiness, Germany must pursue this goal consistently."
"Mitteldeutsche Zeitung": "We need a general service obligation with both military and civilian variants. However, the labor shortage makes this unrealistic. The Bundeswehr would struggle to handle conscripting a whole generation. Also, recent elections reveal the dissatisfaction of many young people - even without Compulsory Service."
"Nordbayerischer Kurier": "Germany is revisiting the conscription topic in the face of overwhelming obstacles. The discrepancy between the temptation to enhance its defense capabilities and the capacity to do so in reality has never been clearer. The army and society as a whole aren't currently ready for combat."
"Der Bells Gong" (Oelde): The defense minister's plan, which requests young men to disclose their willingness and eligibility for service and to present themselves for selection during conscription, is only the beginning. To make Germany defense-capable by 2029 as required by Pistorius, this type of recruitment wouldn't be enough. Such recruitment could also prompt a legal controversy. A more effective approach would be to conscript both men and women from a certain age group to serve in various important institutions, including the Bundeswehr, rescue services, and the Technical Relief Organization. Since emergencies demand adequate forces for civil protection, this is necessary.
"Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" (Münster): In times of instability, self-defense is crucial. However, soldiers are just as deficient in Germany as other valuable professionals. Though the armed forces lag behind NATO's benchmark even in peacetime, Pistorius' "Wehrpflicht leicht" may be short-term impressive. This model might increase the number of conscripted soldiers, but it excludes women, which is inappropriate given today's equality demands. Instead, a year-long service for all young people, regardless of gender, would be more appropriate. Such a course of action should not be limited to the Bundeswehr.
"Hessische Nachrichten" (Mainz): Swedes may follow a different path, Germany must set its course. Markus Söder, Bavarian prime minister, maintained, "Paper does not solve problems." To survive, Germany must rebuild its force by fostering a real conscription system and enticing more attractive positions for professional soldiers. Unfortunately, this conversation is absent in peace-loving Germany. Russia's invasion reminds us that there is no pleasant alternative.
"Neue Oder Zeitung" (Frankfurt/Oder): Pistorius faced two realities: one was the inability of the army to endure a significant influx of thousands of recruits per year. This degree of conscription could cripple the army instead of fortifying it. The second reality, particularly dreaded in our coalition, was that most of his ruling partners vehemently disagreed with the word "duty." Despite Pistorius' remarkable reputation, there was no way over this wall.
"Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung": The Swedish model is not a one-size-fits-all remedy for Germany. "Paper cannot solve problems," maintains Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. If Germans are obligated to return to uniform, it must be a genuine conscription. To accomplish that, reserve forces and better jobs for professional soldiers must be prioritized. Nonetheless, these critical issues are largely undiscussed in Germany, where peace is much preferred.
"Märkische Volksstimme" (Frankfurt/Oder): German conscription's abolition in 2011 was due to factors such as favorable times, extravagant costs, low representation in the draft pool, and violations of the 'fairness' principle in the Basic Law. If Pistorius wishes to reintroduce conscription, even in a light version, the lack of parliamentary support and adherence to fairness remain prominent challenges. With only over 20,000 slots in the military and nearly 400,000 potential conscripts from each age group, the Bundeswehr already faces manpower scarcity. Volunteer military service can also be effective.
"Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" (Saarbrücken): Will Pistorius' conscription questionnaire facilitate a new conscription model? It's uncertain whether this proposal will fulfill its objective: to expand the Bundeswehr. The German military now encompasses 181,000 soldiers. The trend? A dropping figure. The target is 203,000 men and women by 2031. Experts from NATO advise a much larger population size, 272,000. To meet these objectives, a voluntary general service requirement for men and women, where one must choose to serve in the military, nursing, rescue services, the ecological sector, or the social sector, and optional service in the Bundeswehr, would help. With this approach, the Bundeswehr can represent itself, advertise, and expand. To ensure defensive capacity for potential enemies and effective defense in case of war, approximately 20,000 to 25,000 soldiers must be enlisted yearly by Pistorius.
