SPD skeptical about the return of compulsory military service: What does that mean for the Bundeswehr?

SPD skeptical about the return of compulsory military service: What does that mean for the Bundeswehr?

The discussion about a return to compulsory military service is once again very popular in Germany's political landscape. The SPD parliamentary group is skeptical about this. Falko Droßmann, the defense policy spokesman for the SPD, makes it clear that improving the Bundeswehr's infrastructure and attractive career models for young people should be the focus instead of relying on coercion. “We need to get young people excited about service,” he says, emphasizing that commitment should be encouraged through persuasion rather than mandatory measures.

In contrast, Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn is calling for concrete preparations for a return to compulsory military service. He sees the need to ensure Germany's defense capability and emphasizes that up to 60,000 additional soldiers are needed to strengthen the Bundeswehr's personnel. Compulsory military service was suspended for peacetime in 2011 under Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, but remains legally in place. Loud Deutschlandfunk The Bundestag could reactivate compulsory military service by changing the relevant legal basis.

Staff shortages and political differences

The shortage of personnel in the Bundeswehr has now become an urgent problem. There are currently a lack of around 100,000 soldiers to maintain defense capability until 2029, as Defense Commissioner Eva Högl and Inspector General Carsten Breuer warn. In the coalition negotiations, the Union and the SPD in particular are pushing for the need for military service, even if their views on how it should be organized differ significantly. While the Union calls for a mandatory year of service for men and women, the SPD sticks to a voluntary concept and wants to push the registration of young men who are fit for military service in order to develop more flexible models.

In addition, it is being discussed whether alternative forms of service, such as a “social year” for those who do not join the Bundeswehr, would make sense. However, these new approaches are under critical scrutiny because there is public resistance to compulsory service. A compromise could be the “freedom service” proposed by the Greens, which also includes social or cultural services, thus allowing a broader scope that also benefits society.

Social relevance and future development

The social mood is divided. According to surveys, over 58% of Germans support a return to compulsory military service, while 61% of the younger generation between 18 and 29 clearly reject it. daily news also cites the German Federal Youth Council, which demands freedom of choice for young people regarding their service obligations. This could become a point of contention in the future given the domestic political debates.

Conscription has already been reactivated in other European countries, such as Sweden and Latvia, which is further fueling the discussion about compulsory military service in Germany. The federal government, on the other hand, has not yet found a concrete task description or requirements planning for the Bundeswehr, which is particularly criticized by the left. Christian Görke from the Left makes it clear: “No one should be forced to serve in arms,” which makes the social discussions about military service all the hotter.

The topic of compulsory military service remains exciting and challenging for everyone involved - whether young or old, whether in politics or in civil society. The coming months will show in which direction the debates about Germany's security policy orientation and military service will actually trend.