SPD insists on voluntary military service: “informed in a clear path”

There is a need for speech in the coalition, once again. Or still? For months, the black and red federal government had struggled for its new military service model. Now a smoldering conflict is open again: Does the compulsory element have to be emphasized much more to organize the troop growth?

The Social Democrats are angry about the recent statements by the coalition partner and insist on taking voluntariness in a first step. “We agreed together in the coalition on a clear path: the new military service will be voluntary,” said SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf the star. “Everyone will stick to that – including Markus Söder.”

The CSU chief and Bavarian Prime Minister had complained about a “Wischiwaschi default” and emphasized that “half things” were no longer enough. “There is no way around the compulsory conscription,” he said, and warned that in times of great threats “more than a questionnaire army” needed. Recently, other Union politicians had also clearly spoken out for conscription, including Federal Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul from the CDU.

SPD General Secretary Klüssendorf now criticizes this sharply. “Anyone who warms up debates again and again weakens the credibility of politics and unsettles young people,” he told that star. Instead, you finally have to get into implementation in order to achieve common goals. “And with the new military service we will reach you.” The SPD vice-leader Siemtje Möller also warns a rapid legislative process and criticizes “little knowledgeable comments from the sidelines”.

In the Union there are massive reservations against the current military service plans. The corresponding draft law is now only to be advised in the Bundestag – originally the first reading was scheduled for next Thursday.

In the ranks of the CDU and CSU, it has been criticized for a long time that the present draft law does not precisely define the conditions under which the previously planned voluntary work during military service could be converted into a new duty.

Even before the cabinet decision, there had been friction in the Black and red federal government. Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul (CDU) even lodged a management reservation against the draft of Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), but withdrawn it at short notice. Basically, WADEPHUL stays with his attitude: “I am for the immediate compulsory military service,” said the Foreign Minister on Wednesday to the Funke Mediengruppe.

In the Social Democrats, the coalition partner’s approach is increasingly shaking the head, also with the lead resort leader. Boris Pistorius sharply criticized that the CDU/CSU does not want to debate the law for the new military service as planned for the first time in the Bundestag next Thursday. “The behavior of the Union faction is negligent because it may be delayed by the introduction of the new military service and thus the reintroduction of the military recording,” said Pistorius.

In the parliamentary procedure, there are various ways to contribute deviates deviating from the draft law – for example due to amendments. The hearing of experts also served to obtain expertise from the outside, so that no argument was not taken into account. Pistorius asked the Union faction to “capture the schedule and get involved as it provides for the parliamentary procedure”.

Siemtje Möller, Vice Movement Chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, is calm about the delay. “It was no secret that there was and existed at the Union that there was and would have further conversation, but so far it has not been opposed to an introduction to the Bundestag,” said the defense politician of the star. The negotiations will now be continued.

However, Möller also warns that the bill will be advised quickly. “It is important that we quickly come to the first reading in order to complete the legislative process by the end of the year and then to be able to start recruiting for the Bundeswehr immediately,” she said. “In order to be able to do this as constructively and trustingly as possible, the less knowledgeable comments from the sidelines help.”

Defense Minister Pistorius’ plans are to bring tens of thousands of new recruits to the Bundeswehr each year, but until further notice on a voluntary basis. SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf brings the position of the Social Democrats, to this formula: “We advertise in young people to get involved in the Bundeswehr for our country-without duty, but with perspectives: with good training, attractive opportunities and high recognition.”

At the end of August, the Federal Government decided to the controversial military service law under the impression of the conflict with Russia. The project initially relies on voluntariness, but with a lack of soldiers, a duty can also apply, as the design stipulates. A mandatory military service is therefore intended in the event that recruitment goals are not achieved or the security situation requires higher numbers. However, there is no automatism, no defined number and no specified time for compulsory military service.

The Union doubts that the target strengthening of the group can be achieved in this way. The fact that CSU boss Markus Söder has now renewed his criticism and intensified significantly should not be a coincidence: the next black-red coalition summit will take place on Wednesday.