Germany to reintroduce mandatory military service?

Germany is moving closer to reviving military conscription as it struggles to recruit enough soldiers to meet defense targets, Bloomberg reported. A draft law, set for cabinet approval on Wednesday, proposes voluntary enlistment first but leaves the option open for mandatory service if recruitment goals are not met.

The plan comes as Germany faces economic stagnation, rising pension costs, and increasing global instability. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government argues that strengthening the Bundeswehr is vital to deter Russia and reassure European allies. Talks on security guarantees for Ukraine have added urgency to the debate.

Last year, recruitment fell to less than half the levels needed to meet the 2031 target, despite the Bundeswehr being among Europe’s best-paid armed forces. Dropout rates remain high, putting pressure on the administration to act. The new bill would require 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire on health, skills, and willingness to serve starting next year, followed by mandatory medical checks from 2027.

Supporters see the law as necessary for Germany’s security. “If we only introduce conscription in the event of an escalating military crisis, it loses its usefulness as a deterrent,” CDU lawmaker Norbert Röttgen said in a written response to Bloomberg.

But the move faces resistance at home. Surveys show only 16% of Germans say they would definitely defend the country if attacked. Younger citizens, already burdened by climate concerns and economic insecurity, are skeptical of military service. Critics warn that outreach to teenagers risks manipulation. “We talk a lot about people who were pacifists and have come to see that the military is important, but hardly at all about those who now want to get out because they’re afraid,” said Ingar Solty of the Rosa Luxemburg foundation.

Financial costs are another obstacle. The Ifo institute estimates compulsory service would cost €70 billion, mainly due to lost income as young people delay entering the labor force. Even with a planned pay rise lifting new recruits’ salaries by a third to over €2,300 a month, attracting enough volunteers remains difficult.

Despite extensive marketing campaigns, the Bundeswehr struggles with its image, long marred by poor equipment, management issues, and political scandals. Many young people are drawn instead to opposition parties, with more than one in five under 25 voting for the far-right AfD in this year’s election.