As of: March 6, 2024, 10:59 a.m
By: Stefan Krieger
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Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is in favor of reactivating compulsory military service.
But there shouldn't be a quick decision.
Berlin – Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has spoken out several times in the past in favor of reactivating compulsory military service, which is currently only suspended in Germany.
However, the SPD politician contradicted a media report that he wanted a quick decision on possible models for implementation.
“I haven’t made a preliminary decision yet,” he said on Tuesday (March 5) before a trip to Sweden.
The debate is only now beginning, said the minister.
Which will be the right path, which is the right model and whether something will come out of it in 2025 or later will only be seen.
Der Spiegel
had previously
reported that Pistorius had given internal instructions that “options for a German military service model” should be presented to him by April 1st.
In the event of a reintroduction of military service in Germany, he would like to orientate himself on the Swedish model. “I have never made a secret of the fact that I have a certain soft spot for the Swedish model,” said Pistorius.
This is “particularly suitable” with compulsory mustering, which does not involve entire cohorts being drafted.
Military or general service?
In the Scandinavian country, conscription, which was suspended in 2010, was reintroduced in 2017 - for men and women.
In the end, it's about resources and the question of how something like this can be reintroduced, said Pistorius.
It also needs to be clarified whether it is just a matter of compulsory military service or of general service.
“All of these are the discussions that we are only now beginning to have - but that we have to have.” Within the traffic light coalition, the FDP, for example, rejects a reactivation of compulsory military service despite the changed security situation caused by the war in Ukraine.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson.
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Pistorius' Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson, whose country is about to join NATO, said his country was drawing in around five to ten percent of a vintage.
This results in a good balance between professional soldiers and those doing military service and is then the entry point into the military for many.
When reintroducing military service, Sweden also opted for service between men and women and gender equality.
Bundeswehr lacks resources
“So we hear five to ten percent of a year, that would be 40,000 men in Germany alone at ten percent.
Then I haven't even taken the women into account.
That makes it clear that this cannot be transferred one-to-one,” said Pistorius, referring to the Bundeswehr.
It has to be about getting started.
“In addition to all the legal questions and the political ones, which haven’t even been discussed yet because we don’t have the resources, i.e. the barracks, the trainers, to do so from now on.”
Pistorius said he would also welcome general compulsory service, including service in rescue organizations or social institutions.
He gets information in Sweden and other countries and then goes into the discussion in Germany.
“Security cannot be taken for granted,” said Pistorius.
“We need capable and motivated young women and men so that we can defend our countries if the worst comes to the worst.” The discussion about this must be held.
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Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in July 2011 after 55 years under the then Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU), which in practice amounted to an abolition of military and community service.
This is also because practically all the necessary structures have been dissolved, although conscription is being revived in the event of tension and defense.
A reintroduction of compulsory military service is not only met with resistance from the FDP.
Parts of the SPD and the Greens have also expressed concerns.
(skr with agency material)