Germany may introduce conscription for all 18-year-olds

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Germany's consideration of reintroducing conscription for all 18-year-olds, as the country aims to boost its troop numbers in response to Russian military aggression.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Germany's Consideration of Conscription

1. What are the three options being discussed by military planners in Germany regarding conscription?

• One option involves bringing back a compulsory military year for young men and women once they turn 18, which would require a change to the German constitution but is seen as most likely to receive societal approval.
• Another option would only apply to 18-year-old men, who would be required to fill in an online form and could then be chosen for service, seen as "a strong signal" to allies and rivals.
• The third option would avoid compulsory service and instead focus on optimizing the current system through more proactive recruitment campaigns.

2. What is the rationale behind Germany's consideration of reintroducing conscription?

• Germany's aging society means the number of soldiers heading into retirement is outstripping the number of new recruits joining to replace them.
• Germany has set a target of raising the size of its armed forces from 180,000 to over 200,000, and the defense ministry is skeptical this target can be met without some form of conscription.

3. What is the opposition within the German government to the defense minister's plans for conscription?

• Chancellor Olaf Scholz has previously voiced opposition to such a move, and ministers from the junior coalition partners (Free Democrats and Greens) have also stated they would oppose it.
• However, momentum for reintroducing conscription is growing, as the center-Right Christian Democrats (CDU) have reversed their stance and voted to support the "reintroduction of conscription in a step-by-step process".