Raising the debate about conscription of German women

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency, newspaper ” “Stuttgarter Nakhreshten” wrote in an article: “Boris Pestorius, the Minister of Defense of Germany, wants to soon present concepts and plans for a new form of compulsory military service.” In the meantime, there are also extensive proposals to reform the suspended military service.

Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Germany, there have been strong discussions about compulsory military service again. The shape is said. German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius supports the plan and has ordered his ministry to examine different variants of the plan and summarize the results in a “workshop report.” It’s apparently finished, but won’t be available publicly until June. But currently, there are many people who are suspicious of this plan in Pistorius’ own party (Social Democratic Party) and also in his coalition partners, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats.

Many of those who call for conscription hope that this will achieve several goals at once, firstly, to strengthen the general defense power of the country, and secondly, to solve the personnel problems of the force. Germany’s military is expected to grow from around 180,000 men and women now to 203,000 by 2031. But the number of soldiers in the German army is already dwindling, and at a time of crisis in the shortage of skilled workers, there are fears that fewer people will choose to join the army in the future. It is hoped that compulsory military service can connect more young people with the Bundeswehr and then they will decide on a military career. According to the information of the German Ministry of Defense in In the workshop report, different models of conscription were examined, but the Swedish model is considered. In Sweden, all men and women register for this purpose in a year, but only a third are drafted and even fewer actually serve. Only if there aren’t enough volunteers will more people be drafted.

But it could potentially take a long time for conscription to become effective. be established again in Germany. Not only are there many legal hurdles, but a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat is required to implement this plan, and in practical terms, the German army currently does not have enough barracks or trainers for new recruits.

In the meantime, the Liberal Democrat party in the coalition government is critical of any form of compulsory service. “The threat to Germany is not yet so predictable, so with the Liberal Democratic Party there will be neither conscription nor the reintroduction of conscription,” Alexander Müller, defense policy spokesman for the Liberals in the Bundestag, told this editorial team. will be. He is of the opinion that in order to solve the personnel problems of the Bundeswehr, this sector should be made more attractive, for example, through recruitment and grant campaigns. Sees. The party will adopt a new basic program at its party conference this week. Part of this demand is for a year of compulsory service, which young people should also be able to complete in the German army.

But the Christian Democratic Party is also concerned about the current conscription – Especially since it can take years for a new service or military service requirement to be introduced. The party believes that as things currently stand, conscription has only been suspended, but still applies in its original form since 1956, ie only for men aged 18 and over. The party believes that it can be reactivated in case of tension or defense. Given Russia’s aggressive foreign policy, such a case cannot be ruled out.

Christian Democratic Party defense politician Markus Grobel sees the need for action here. He told the editorial team that he wanted the constitution to also be “fit for the changing times”. The constitution should be changed in such a way that conscription is applied not only to men but also to women. Women can be called to serve in hospitals or urban defense, but they cannot be called to serve in arms. Grobel criticizes this. He emphasized: The models presented in this article of the constitution are no longer up to date. Women can also play their part today and help as soldiers to make Germany defensible. This will not only be a step toward greater justice in the military, but also toward greater equality, Grobel said.

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