Overview
- Defence Minister Boris Pistorius targets up to 80,000 additional soldiers, with the force currently at roughly 180,000 after missing a 200,000 goal.
- The plan includes compulsory muster starting with those born in 2008 as recruiting structures are rebuilt after conscription was suspended in 2011.
- A new Wehrdienstgesetz is slated to take effect on 1 January next year, keeping service voluntary at the outset and leaving fallback tools to parliament.
- Lawmakers are debating a possible lottery if volunteers fall short, while some Social Democrats reject a “soldiers lottery” and the Greens promote a compulsory societal year.
- Civil groups and stakeholders weigh in, with the Red Cross urging letters to youths to include social-service options and the Reservists’ association predicting strong volunteer interest even as it argues for reinstating conscription.