The Christian Social Union (CSU) is pushing for the immediate reintroduction of mandatory military service in Germany, citing the growing security threats facing the country.
The CSU, a regional party in Bavaria and part of the CDU/CSU alliance, which secured the most votes in the recent Bundestag elections, is calling for the reactivation of conscription this year.
Florian Hahn, the CSU’s defense spokesman, argued that the suspension of compulsory military service no longer aligns with current security needs. “By 2025, the first conscripts should pass through the gates of the barracks. We cannot stand idly by as the world around us becomes increasingly dangerous,” Hahn emphasized.
Despite efforts to recruit, the Bundeswehr remains short of approximately 20,000 personnel for its target of 203,000 soldiers, with many positions still unfilled. Experts have raised concerns that the actual combat readiness of several units is only around 50%.
Patrick Sensburg, head of the reservists’ association, supports the immediate restoration of mandatory service, proposing that at least 20,000 conscripts be called up by the end of the year. “We can do this using the existing infrastructure and training capacities. Step by step, we should expand compulsory military service to the entire year. It should apply to both men and women,” Sensburg stated in an interview with BILD.
While Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is in favor of military service, he opposes mandatory conscription, pointing to the Swedish model, which is based on voluntarism with the option of compulsory service if needed.
Germany suspended mandatory military service in 2011 under then-Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
