Merz allowed a return to the discussion of compulsory military service in Germany

If there are insufficient recruits to the Bundeswehr, Germany may return to discussing the introduction of compulsory military service. This was announced on November 8 by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the ARD TV channel.

At the same time, the politician noted that currently the country's authorities rely on voluntary service.

"We rely on voluntary service. And I hope that we will be able to attract soldiers to the Bundeswehr, including with attractive offers. We want the armed forces to become what we need," Merz said.

If the initiative proves to be insufficiently effective, the issue of returning compulsory conscription to the army will be considered.

"If the voluntary service works, I will be glad. If not, we will have to talk about military service again," Merz warned.

Make Germany great again: Merz decided to turn the Bundeswehr into the strongest army in Europe

The German Chancellor plans to return the introduction of universal military service, although it is not provided for by the coalition agreement.

On December 5, the Bundestag approved a new law on military service aimed at increasing the size of the German Armed Forces and achieving NATO goals. The bill sets certain deadlines and goals for expanding the size of the Bundeswehr. So, by 2035, the number of military personnel should reach 260 thousand people and at least 200 thousand reservists. Currently, the number of German Armed Forces is 183 thousand people.

Earlier, on November 12, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, amid discussions in Germany about a new law on military service, said that everyone should serve in the army. The President recalled that in 1995, the country pledged to provide the alliance with up to 500,000 soldiers who had to be ready for combat operations within three years, which was not possible due to voluntary military service.

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