Germany debates reintroduction of conscription
Germany has been debating the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which was abolished in 2011. The government is seeking to increase the size of its armed forces, which are currently made up of voluntary recruits only.
The idea of conscription has gained traction in recent months, with senior Defence Ministry officials calling for the move in order to bolster Germany’s military capabilities. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has said that “we need more men and women to serve in the armed forces”, and the debate has become more heated in the wake of the migration crisis and ongoing security concerns in Europe.
Opponents of the proposal argue that re-introducing conscription would be an unnecessary expense, considering the country already spends over EUR 40 billion a year on defence. They also highlight the fact that conscription would not guarantee an increase in combat readiness, as most young people will spend less than six months in service, and doubt its effectiveness in tackling the wider security challenges in Europe.
Proponents, on the other hand, argue that mandatory military service would offer an effective way to raise awareness about the importance of defence and could help encourage more young people to pursue a career in the military, thus providing much-needed manpower in the long term.
Public opinion is divided, with many expressing both support and opposition to the proposal. In a recent survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation, more than half of all respondents said they would be in favour of mandatory military service, but a further 61% said they did not believe it would be an effective way to increase combat readiness.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether Germany will introduce conscription. The government has not yet presented a formal proposal, and the debate is likely to continue until the need for conscription is determined.