German parliament approves new law on return to military service

The Bundestag has approved a new law on military service aimed at increasing the size of the German Armed Forces and achieving NATO goals. This was reported on December 5 by the Reuters news agency.

"The bill, adopted after several months of debate, introduces two options for conscription: the more lucrative voluntary service is designed to attract young people, but if recruitment proves insufficient, lawmakers can initiate urgent conscription based on the needs of the [Bundeswehr]," the material says.

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.

According to the new law, the German Ministry of Defense will have to report on the number of recruits to Parliament every six months.

The authors of the article specify that in order to launch urgent conscription, the Bundestag will have to launch a separate vote. And if the plan for the number of conscripted citizens is exceeded, the army will randomly select the most suitable candidates.

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.

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.

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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