Compulsory military service: Steinmeier doubts the planned lottery system

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is skeptical about a possible lottery system for selecting conscripts. “The (coalitionists) have to evaluate for themselves whether the lottery is really a suitable procedure. Allow me some doubt”he told SWR magazine “On the matter of Rhineland-Palatinate”. On Tuesday, an agreement between negotiators from the black-red coalition on a lottery process unexpectedly collapsed. This means that the Union and the SPD are entering the first parliamentary discussions on a new military service without a common concept.

The trigger for the latest dispute in the coalition was the question of whether a lottery system should be introduced for compulsory military service if not enough volunteers report for military service. As president, Steinmeier must sign the law for it to come into force. Before that, he has a right of review, which includes, among other things, the question of whether the law is compatible with the Basic Law.

Steinmeier described the dispute over compulsory military service as “communicative failure”. He “I think that after a few hours of separation, those involved can now see that themselves”. And he hopes that this will be sorted out relatively quickly.

Meanwhile, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has spoken out against the reintroduction of compulsory military service. Because of the changing security policy challenges, there is a need to expand military service, but always according to the principle: “As much voluntary action as possible”said the EKD council chairwoman, Bishop Kirsten Fehrs “Rhenish Post” (Thursday edition). Fehrs explained that anyone who voluntarily works for others in an appropriate place strengthens the community more sustainably than anyone who is obliged to do so.

The EKD council chairwoman called for a broad perspective on security and social cohesion. “Many young people are worried about what the new military service will mean for them personally.”

At the same time, many are willing to get involved, for example, in voluntary service, care or disaster protection, explained Fehrs. A smart law must take both commitment and concern seriously. “That is why military service and peace service should be thought of together.” In this context, the EKD renews its call for one “Right to volunteer service”which does justice to the diverse abilities and life situations of young people.

The Secretary General of the Federal Student Conference, Quentin Gärtner, also complained that young people were not being heard in the debate about military service reform. “Perhaps the federal government should first deal properly with those affected instead of fighting in skirmishes within the coalition”he told the editorial network Germany (RND).

“The ongoing uncertainty will definitely not lead to more acceptance among young people. We are already facing a mental health crisis for children and young people”said the student representative. “You don’t gamble with young people.”

On Tuesday, an announced press conference by the Union and SPD parliamentary groups in the Bundestag was canceled at short notice because there was a dispute about the structure of a reinstated compulsory military service. “What I heard from Berlin today is that the horror is great. And if the fear is great, it could lead to a greater willingness to reach agreement”said Steinmeier on SWR.

The dispute within the coalition had escalated in the past few days. Specialist politicians from the Union and SPD agreed on changes to the draft by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), which the cabinet approved in August. However, the suggestions met with opposition from him and, contrary to the experts’ announcement, were not presented publicly.

On SWR, Steinmeier once again spoke out in favor of compulsory service for everyone. Young men and women should then be able to choose between compulsory social service and compulsory military service. “I am firmly convinced that we should open ourselves up to the idea that we need a duty to serve. And it’s not just since today that I’ve been of the opinion that we need them for men and women,” he said.