BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers on Friday approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to replenish the ranks of its armed forces in the face of growing concerns about the threat posed by Russia. The plan also calls for mandatory medical examinations for young men.
It does not allow for the reintroduction of conscription, although it leaves open the possibility of compulsory service for at least a limited number of people if the need arises.
The lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, approved the plan by 323 votes to 272, with one abstention. This is a modified version of the plan approved by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet in August.
Germany has poured billions of dollars into improving its military equipment after years of neglect, and the government is focused on trying to convince more people to join it.
He's not the only one trying to strengthen his military; Last week France unveiled a program to train thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 starting next year. Belgium and Poland also plan to recruit more people for training or service.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told lawmakers that “our allies are looking to Germany” and said the country had become “the leader of defense in Europe.” He said that with the new legislation, “we are taking another decisive step for our defense capability.”
The conscription was suspended in 2011.
Germany suspended conscription of men into the army in 2011 and has subsequently struggled to attract large numbers of short-term volunteers. In recent years, troop numbers have hovered just above 180,000, down from 300,000 in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.
The government now wants to increase that figure to 260,000 over the next decade. It says it will also need about 200,000 reservists, more than double the current figure.
The plan approved on Friday provides more attractive pay and conditions for people who join on a short-term basis, better training and more flexibility over the length of service, starting with a minimum of six months.
The goal is to attract enough recruits without reinstating compulsory service – an idea unpopular with center-left junior coalition partner Merz.
But the plan leaves open the possibility for Parliament to impose compulsory service on at least a limited number of people, perhaps selected at random, “especially if the defense policy situation or personnel situation in the armed forces makes this necessary.” Many in Merz's conservative bloc believe conscription will eventually be necessary.
From January 2027, the Ministry of Defense will be required to report recruitment data to Parliament every six months. The legislation sets annual target ranges for the size of the armed forces and their reserves for the next 10 years, but there is no automatic incentive for any move to compulsory recruitment.
Questionnaires and honey.
Starting in the new year, questionnaires will be sent to boys and girls who have reached the age of 18 about their desire and ability to serve, to which the men will have to respond. This would be expanded to require young men to undergo a medical examination but not enlist in the army. The German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, will need to build up the capacity to process about 300,000 people a year.
Desiree Becker, an MP from the opposition Left Party, called on young people to “oppose the resumption of conscription” and learn about conscientious objection.
Pistorius said demonstrations against the plan were welcome. But he insisted that more young people are “ready to take responsibility” than some opponents say, and they realize that “nobody is forcing us to do anything other than fill out a form… and undergo a medical examination, which will not harm anyone.”
“This military service is voluntary and will remain so if everything goes as we expect,” he said. “But yes… if that is not enough, and if the threat situation continues to progress the same or worse, we will not be able to avoid partial compulsory service in defense of this country.”
Ten EU countries have compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.
