As of: February 18, 2024, 6:57 a.m
By: Yekaterina Jalunina
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Defense Minister Pistorius: “It was a mistake to abolish conscription.” © IMAGO/Yevhen Kotenko / Avalon
The possible reintroduction of compulsory military service is dividing politics.
While Pistorius advocates for it, the FDP rejects it.
Berlin – Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently appeared open to the introduction of general compulsory service.
However, this attitude is met with strong opposition from the defense policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, Alexander Müller.
Müller spoke out clearly against reintroducing compulsory military service and described the introduction as “a massive encroachment on freedom and civil rights”.
He emphasized to the
Editorial Network Germany
(RND) that compulsory military service requires additional financial resources and exacerbates the shortage of skilled workers.
Müller further added that there is no support for conscription from the FDP and that it prefers an army made up of well-paid professionals.
Pistorius, on the other hand, expressed himself positively about the possibility of general compulsory service, provided there is a broad debate in society and politics.
He personally believes that conscription makes sense.
Pistorius advocates compulsory military service: “Could make a contribution”
Boris Pistorius expressed
his views on general compulsory service to the
RND .
In the past, there was someone sitting at every other kitchen table “who knew the Bundeswehr from the inside and talked about comrades or barracks,” said Pistorius.
He noted that this close connection with the Bundeswehr is missing in today's society.
“Conscription or general service could make a contribution to this.”
He described the suspension of compulsory military service as a mistake and emphasized that many people today are no longer aware of why soldiers protect the country.
Service in the Bundeswehr: Debate about compulsory military service is gaining momentum © picture alliance/dpa |
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The Bundestag's military commissioner calls for a citizens' assembly for general service
The Bundestag's military commissioner, Eva Högl, is now calling for the establishment of a citizens' assembly to discuss the introduction of general service in the Bundeswehr and civil organizations.
In a guest article for the news portal
Table Media
, the SPD politician argues that this topic belongs both in the Bundestag and in the middle of society and that a citizens' assembly can effectively combine both aspects.
The suspension of compulsory military service in July 2011 by the then Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) was viewed by Högl as a practical abolition of military and community service.
In view of the changed security situation after the Russian attack on Ukraine, Boris Pistorius is examining models of compulsory service, whereby the Swedish model is also being considered.
Compulsory military service could be embedded in a social year based on the Swedish model, according to the military commissioner Eva Högl (SPD).
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
According to reports from the
German Press Agency
, Högl suggests embedding compulsory military service in a social year based on the Swedish model.
She emphasizes the importance of social commitment and believes that an active engagement with the Bundeswehr through appropriate notification would reach everyone.
Compulsory service debate: Union politician Hahn versus Citizens' Council
The defense policy spokesman for the Union faction, Florian Hahn (CSU), considers a citizens' assembly to be unsuitable for deciding on compulsory service.
He argues that clear majorities and the positioning of political parties already exist.
Hahn sees Högl's proposal as a desperate attempt to strengthen opinions within the SPD.
In the Bundestag's budget debate in January, Pistorius expressed the urgent need for society to address the question of who should defend the country in an emergency.
He also emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Bundeswehr and associated higher defense spending.
There are around 1,500 fewer temporary and professional soldiers as well as those doing voluntary military service than a year ago.
© Frank May/dpa
Pistorius expressed the necessity of a debate on the issue.
In particular, he emphasized the Bundeswehr's personnel needs and made it clear that the representation of women also had to be taken into account.
He emphasized the importance of political majorities and social approval for each model and called for an open discussion about it.
(
dpa/jek
)