Merz announced plans to develop the Swedish model of military conscription in Germany

The new German government will develop military conscription in Germany according to the Swedish model. This was stated on April 9 by the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz at a press conference following coalition talks with the Social Democrats.

At the same time, he stressed that military service in the country will remain voluntary.

"We hope that with enough volunteers, we will be able to ensure the growth of the Bundeswehr," the politician said at the event, which was broadcast on the Phoenix YouTube channel.

Young people in Sweden annually undergo an online survey, according to which the most suitable candidates are selected for the army on a mandatory basis, based on their current needs of the armed forces.

As reported by Gazeta.Ru" with reference to the German media, at the end of 2024, the Bundeswehr faced a serious shortage of personnel and severe deterioration of military infrastructure. The German army also lacks military equipment.

Change of power: German elections won by the opposition CDU/CSU party

Friedrich Merz will be the new chancellor.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported that the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which took second place in the early parliamentary elections in Germany, topped the popularity rating of the country's parties for the first time. The CDU, according to polls, has support at 24%.

On March 27, Tagesspiegel learned that three former members of the Bundestag defense committee from the CDU and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) called on the new government to consolidate the return of military service in the coalition agreement amid the worsening situation in the world. Former SPD defense commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels said that otherwise the Bundeswehr would not be able to adapt to the current international situation.