Germany: Its inevitable to reintroduce compulsory military service in Germany
The commissioner for military affairs in the German Bundestag, Eva Högel, believes that its inevitable to reintroduce compulsory military service in Germany.
Asked if simply being obliged to appear for screening coupled with voluntary enlistment in the military was enough, Högel told German Stern magazine, “It should be clear to everyone: everyone in our society has to make a contribution”.
Högel said that the Swedish model can be emulated, in which everyone undergoes military service, but not an entire group is recruited, but only part of the group of those who volunteer for military service.
“When there aren’t enough volunteers, there must be an obligation… I agree with Boris Pistorius on that,” she added.
The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented his plans for a new model of military service last week, which provides for the re-registration of righteous people for military service, a measure that has been suspended for 13 years.
The proposal also requires young people to provide information in a questionnaire about their willingness and ability to serve, and to undergo screening if selected.
It remains unclear whether they can be recruited against their will.
Högel said she believes, like Pistorius, that it’s enough at first to at least be obliged to answer the screening questionnaire, and then many volunteer for military service until there are enough personnel in the Bundeswehr.
Högel, on the other hand, noted that opinion polls show that a clear majority of Germans support the return of compulsory military service.
“This promotes synergy, which is beneficial for everyone,” Högel said, noting that service in the military will be part of that, and others can complete their year of service in the social sphere, climate protection, monument conservation or other areas.
Högel pointed out that it’s no longer possible to make an amendment to the constitution to provide for this during the current legislative period, and called for this to be addressed very quickly in the next legislative session.
