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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out in favour of introducing a new form of compulsory military service to boost the country’s armed forces.<\/p>\n
Germany suspended conscription in 2011 but it remains enshrined in Germany’s de facto constitution, the Basic Law, and can be reintroduced with a simple majority in parliament.<\/p>\n
A debate on conscription is now necessary, Steinmeier told the ZDF public broadcaster in an interview set to air on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n
“I am in favour of compulsory military service,” the president reiterated. He justified his position with Europe’s changing security situation, Russia’s war in Ukraine and the US administration’s attitude towards trans-Atlantic relations.<\/p>\n
Steinmeier said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is right to seek to make joining the German armed forces, or Bundeswehr, more attractive.<\/p>\n
But, he said, no one knows whether that will be enough. “That is why we now need a debate on conscription, even if we cannot implement it overnight,” he added.<\/p>\n
General compulsory service, applying also to women, would however require an amendment to the Basic Law.<\/p>\n
The German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has committed to seeking voluntary military service as part of its coalition agreement.<\/p>\n
Pistorius plans to start with 15,000 new voluntary conscripts. A new law presented by the defence minister allows for compulsory military service to be reinstated if a state of defence is declared.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n