Ukraine: Is conscription coming back?

CDU advances - Scholz Minister is clear

Created: 02/27/2022, 10:00 p.m

By: Patrick Mayer

The Bundeswehr is to be massively increased: Panzergrenadiers during an exercise in Munster.

(Archive photo) © IMAGO / Björn Trotsky

Russia has invaded Ukraine.

Germany now wants to rearm the Bundeswehr at express speed.

Even conscription is a scenario.

Munich/Berlin - This about-face in German security and defense policy seemed conceivable not long ago: after the outbreak of the Ukraine war and threats from Russia against the transatlantic defense alliance NATO, the traffic light coalition wants to rearm the Bundeswehr in a hurry.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced this decision in the Bundestag - with the broad approval of the other parliamentary groups.

After Russia's attack on Ukraine: Discussions about conscription in Germany

The focus is now even moving back to a possible conscription.

It applied to young men until it was abolished in 2011.

"I don't think that conscription is really going to help us in the current discussion," said Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) on Sunday (February 27) on ARD: "That would be a big reform, it would also be big to clarify legal questions.” But a corresponding demand is already coming from the Union.

According to a position paper by the Lower Saxony CDU, Germany must end its “security policy based on funds” that it has been practicing for years: “As the intensification of the Ukraine conflict* clearly shows, Russia is redefining its role as a great power.

The Russian armed forces have significantly increased in effectiveness and efficiency.”

In the video: Compact - The news about the Ukraine war and the invasion of Russia

In this mixed situation, a reintroduction of conscription is “a decisive signal for Germany to ensure effective military deterrence and alliance capability,” writes state party leader Bernd Althusmann: “In order to make the Bundeswehr fit for the future, general conscription with the possibility of conscription must be gradually taken into account of training capacity will be reintroduced.”

Because of the Ukraine war: Germany wants to massively increase the defense budget of the Bundeswehr

Chancellor Scholz had announced in parliament on Sunday a "Bundeswehr special fund" worth 100 billion euros for this year - in addition to the 50 billion euros budgeted for defense spending.

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) also said: "We will also have to talk about the structures of the Bundeswehr, about its mission." Also about conscription for young adults?

The Republic could also deal with this question in the coming days.

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