The German Military Federation maintains the need for mandatory military service.
The head of the Bundeswehr Association, Wüstner, claims that the German military is short of a significant amount of soldiers, with their numbers at their lowest since 2018. He suggests a return to conscription as a means of addressing the issue. Wüstner hopes that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will stick with the planned conscription quotas in his presentation of the conscription model, scheduled for Wednesday.
Pistorius will share his plans with the Defense Committee in the morning and present them to the public in the afternoon. He has considered various methods of conscription in the wake of Russia's attack on Ukraine. During a parliamentary session, he mentioned that he does not plan to rely solely on voluntary service for conscription. He emphasizes the importance of Germany being prepared for conflict with potential adversaries, a goal which can be achieved with NATO allies.
SPD party leader Saskia Esken favors the use of volunteer service in the new conscription system. She believes that the sense of self-determination experienced through voluntary service is key to promoting the acceptance of democracy. "Voluntary service is essential for engagement and taking on the significant responsibility of securing Germany," she told regional newspapers affiliated with the Funke media group.
SPD defense expert Andreas Schwarz stated that attention would be given to identifying individuals eligible for conscription. This step is seen as a necessary prerequisite for increasing the military's size. Schwarz also mentioned that additional funds would be allocated for barracks, equipment, and training. "If the principle of voluntary service is not sufficient, discussions about additional compulsory elements should be held," he said to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Wüstner noted that the current manpower requirements of the Bundeswehr significantly exceed the 203,300-soldier target established politically. The 2018 capability profile had accounted for more than 240,000 men and women. With increased political tasks since February 2022 and expanding NATO commitments, the numbers could potentially be even higher. Despite an initiative to expand the Bundeswehr, it has decreased to 181,500 soldiers and soldiers in the past year.
Wüstner believes that a "new military service" could be helpful as many conscripts in the past have chosen to remain in the Bundeswehr and some have even become professional soldiers. The Bundeswehr used to reflect society well and contributed to building a strong reserve, providing potential for replacement and increasing deterrence and defense capacity.
Wüstner forecasts that over the coming days, it will become clear which political parties have genuinely changed their defense policies since the announcement of potential worldwide upheaval. "Those who maintain that this should not be touched - I hope they're at least experts - should not reject a new form of defense or a new type of conscription," he added.
Pistorius is not approaching the debate with a lighthearted attitude, and has already faced strong resistance within his own party and even from Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "Those who are worried that we might accidentally get into a war need to realize that it's just as crucial to not be caught unprepared or shocked by hostilities - maybe this time on an ally's territory," said Wüstner, noting that now it's a matter of political motivation. "As the saying goes, 'Those who want something will find ways, those who don't want something will find reasons!'"
Conscription was halted in Germany after 55 years in 2011, essentially ending both military and civilian service. However, it is still legally mandated that conscription for men resumes during times of tension or conflict.
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Boris Pistorius, the Defense Minister, is expected to present his conscription plans to the Defense Committee and the public, which include considering various methods of conscription in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine. Saskia Esken, the SPD party leader, advocates for the use of volunteer service in the new conscription system, believing it promotes the acceptance of democracy.
