Munich – Amid rising geopolitical tensions, there is increasing pressure within Germany to reinstate conscription as the national defense force grapples with personnel shortages. Florian Hahn, the defense policy spokesperson for the CSU, has voiced strong support for reintroducing the draft, stating it should be enacted by 2025. "The suspension of conscription no longer fits the current threat scenario," he asserted. "By 2025, we need the first conscripts to step through the barrack gates," he emphasized to Bild.
According to estimates from Patrick Sensburg, head of the Reservists Association, at least 20,000 conscripts must be enlisted by the end of 2025 to address the shortfall. Sensburg contended, "We can achieve this with our existing infrastructure and training capacities, gradually extending conscription to cover the entire age cohort, including women." His remarks reflect growing support for conscription across political lines amid fears of declining military capabilities.
The call for reinstatement of the draft is not new; conscription was officially suspended in 2011 under former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) after more than half a century. This move led to the dissolution of many structures related to military and civilian service. Advocates of the reinstatement argue it is necessary for reinforcing national security as the global security environment changes. "We need credible deterrence through personnel growth capacity," Hahn warned. The Bundeswehr's current manpower deficits are accentuated by the realization from Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) back in May 2024, labeling personnel shortages as manageable, yet many specialists believe the situation warrants urgent reforms.
The situation is compounded by the fact the Bundeswehr faces operational readiness issues, with estimates indicating only 50% of units are at full strength. This has led to critiques from military leaders, such as André Wüstner of the German Armed Forces Association, who endorsed Hahn's call for immediate draft reinstatement. Wüstner warned of increasing demands on the military as about 27,000 personnel exit each year without adequate recruitment replacements, stating, "The troop’s burden is already high and will increase. We cannot afford to ignore recruitment challenges any longer. Without reinstated conscription, we risk operational failures."
Joschka Fischer, the former Foreign Minister and member of the Green Party, has also thrown his weight behind reinstated conscription. He publically reversed his previous support for abolishing it, declaring it had been a miscalculation. "The draft must be reintroduced for both genders to fortify European protection. Without it, we will struggle to safeguard our continent," Fischer advised. He advocated for a notable increase in defense spending, warning, "The current two percent investment is insufficient for credible deterrence. We need more now than ever."
Conversely, voices within the SPD express differing opinions. Some party members, like defense politician Falko Droßmann, labelled the push for reinstatement as purely populist rhetoric, arguing there are structural challenges and insufficient infrastructure for recruiting new personnel. "We don’t even know whom to contact for induction," Droßmann remarked. He emphasized potential alternative models like the one proposed by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, which emphasized voluntary service yet retained elements of conscription, reminiscent of the Swedish model.
Such discussions are timely, as the new federal government, led by incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), may soon find itself at the forefront of this contentious issue. While the proposal for immediate military draft discussions is gaining traction, the practical implementation amid existing coalition hesitations remains uncertain.
Germany’s defense strategy faces pivotal moments as questions linger over how to stabilize its military forces without reliance on previously established conscript frameworks. A reintroduction of mandatory military service embodies numerous complex challenges: how to integrate service for women, the logistics of recruitment, and ensuring sufficient support from the public and across the political spectrum. Sensburg concluded his appeal with urgency, emphasizing the need for action: "We must begin the reinstatement process now to avoid personnel failure next year." Cultural attitudes toward military service may also evolve as younger generations contend with global security trends, fostering national defense resilience necessary for the future.
For Germany to navigate these treacherous geopolitical waters effectively, reevaluation of military personnel frameworks through potential conscription reintroduction becomes increasingly unavoidable. The collective calls among politicians, military representatives, and citizens could dictate whether Germany strengthens its military capabilities or falters amid rising international tensions.