The German president again called for the introduction of military service for all

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, amid discussions in Germany about a new law on military service, said on November 12 that everyone should serve in the army. His words are reported by the ZDF TV channel.

"The most fair thing would be to introduce (in Germany. — Ed.) compulsory service for all, which some would carry out in the Bundeswehr, and others in the social sphere," Steinmeier said at the oath ceremony on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the German Bundeswehr in Berlin.

According to him, universal military service in Germany has been discussed since the creation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, and one of the reasons is the need to fulfill obligations on the number of German armed forces within the framework of NATO membership. 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.

"And soon a new discussion broke out about the Bundeswehr, namely the introduction of universal military service," Steinmeier said.

He said that the Bundestag is currently discussing a bill on the modernization of military service in Germany. One of its controversial points is the way to bring the number of the Bundeswehr to the established number in case of a shortage of volunteers. Steinmeier expressed hope that the new law would solve this problem.

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

Steinmeier has already advocated the return of universal military service in the country. On July 13, he stated that he was in favor of this because of the changing security situation in Europe. He clarified that it is necessary to increase the attractiveness of the army for citizens and expressed doubt that it is possible to increase the number of armed forces in the country on a voluntary basis.

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