defense
SPD reserved when returning to conscription
Union politicians are calling for preparations to start a return to compulsory military service. The coalition partner reacts.
With regard to statements by Union politicians, the SPD parliamentary group has cautiously commented on a return to conscription. Falko Droßmann, defense policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, told the German press agency: “We are working hard to inspire young men and women for the service in our armed forces. For this, the Bundeswehr’s infrastructure has to be improved massively and attractive and flexible career models must be offered. light.”
Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn had spoken in favor of starting preparations for a return to compulsory military service. “In any case, a structure in the Bundeswehr must be created that makes a rapid return to compulsory conscription. This does not work overnight, but we have to start preparations,” said Spahn of the “Rheinische Post”. Germany had to be able to defend again, including up to 60,000 additional soldiers for the Bundeswehr.
“If that is about voluntariness, good. But my impression is that we will need conscription,” said the CDU politician. The compulsory military service under Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) was suspended after 55 years. Until then, it only had to men.
First voluntariness
The word “conscription” does not appear in the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD. Instead, it says: “We create a new attractive military service that initially is based on voluntariness.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had recently made it clear that the agreed voluntariness only applies if the need for soldiers can be met in this way.
“Apparently, the Union can hardly wait to reintroduce compulsory military service,” said Christian Görke, first parliamentary managing director of the Left Group in the Bundestag. “The service to the weapon was and is always associated with force. Nobody can be forced to do so.” The Federal Government has not even presented a specific description of the tasks or planning of the Bundeswehr. “We clearly reject conscription, as well as the majority of those who would be affected.”
dpa
Source: Stern
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