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Soldiers at the roll call: anyone who does not comply with the Basic Law is thrown out
Photo: Patrick Pleul/ DPA
It should be easier to remove extremist professional and temporary soldiers from the Bundeswehr in the future – with a change in the law.
According to the Ministry of Defense, dismissal should be possible in the future by administrative act.
So far, this has required judicial disciplinary proceedings, which are considered time-consuming.
Previously there had been anti-terrorist raids against the "Reichsbürger" scene, which had also been directed against a soldier from the Special Forces Command (KSK) and several reservists.
"The most recent searches and arrests in the 'Reichsbürger' milieu show how important it is to be vigilant and to use all means of the rule of law against extremists and enemies of the constitution," said Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).
The draft law drawn up in her ministry provides for an independent dismissal offense for lack of loyalty to the constitution.
"This means that soldiers can be dismissed if it turns out that they reject the Basic Law and our free democratic basic order," said Lambrecht.
It will be possible to significantly speed up the previous lengthy procedure for removing extremists from military service - "of course while maintaining all the principles of a rule of law procedure".
Her predecessor in office, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU), wanted to change the law last year so that temporary soldiers can be dismissed without notice even in their 5th to 8th year of service if they have culpably violated official duties and the military order or the seriously jeopardize the reputation of the Bundeswehr.
There was resistance both in the Union and in the then smaller coalition partner SPD and from the opposition.
This was partly justified by the fact that the draft did not go far enough because it was aimed exclusively at regular soldiers.
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