US EditionGermany inches close to agreement on contentious military service but questions remain
- On Thursday morning, the governing coalition finalised a 'voluntary now, compulsory later' military service law at a Berlin press conference, effective 1 January 2026.
- To bolster national defence, the Ministry of Defence plans a long-term force of around 460,000 including reserves, with roughly 260,000 active soldiers to meet NATO requirements and counter Russia.
- The reform centres on a voluntary model initially, with compulsory service reintroduced via separate legislation and a lottery if volunteers fall short; all 18-year-old men face medical checks and receive incentives after 12 months.
- All 18-year-old men will respond to a survey; young people born in 2008 or later may face conscription from July 2027 or 2028, depending on volunteer success.
- Coalition disagreements persist, with CDU/CSU favouring random selection and growth targets while SPD prioritises voluntary service, as military historian S�nke Neitzel said, `The introduction of compulsory conscription would be absolutely essential for a rapid increase in the number of personnel in the Bundeswehr`.
101 Articles
101 Articles
Germany will designate men for military service in case of emergency. The government has decided this after lengthy negotiations. A law will also be introduced, which the government hopes will encourage more people to volunteer for the army. According to the Ministry of Defense, given the Russian offensive in Ukraine and the increasing threat to the rest of Europe, it is necessary to better prepare for the country's defense. Germany also has obl…
But according to the new government plan, all 18-year-old males will have to fill out a questionnaire and undergo a mandatory medical examination.
Radio France Internationale
Germany agrees to keep military service voluntary
After months of conflict, the black-red coalition finally came to an agreement. At first, it continues to rely on voluntary military service, but young men are necessarily patterned.
The Bundeswehr – better than you think, Pistorius says. He is looking for new talent. Locken is supposed to spend the money, which makes voluntary service a social sorting machine.
The ruling parties in Germany have agreed on a new model of military service, which combines voluntary service with the possibility of compulsory conscription if security needs require it.
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