BERLIN – Germany continues to struggle with a shortage of new soldiers, and it may have to decide next year whether to reinstate mandatory military service. This was stated by the chairman of the German Federal Parliament's Defense Committee, Thomas Röwekamp, in an interview with the AFP news agency. According to Röwekamp, Germany will have to decide by July 2027 at the latest whether the current system of voluntary recruitment is sufficient to meet the needs of the armed forces. If it is not possible to secure a sufficient number of new soldiers, the reintroduction of mandatory military service may be unavoidable.

The debate about the future of the German armed forces has intensified, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response to the security situation in Europe, the German government announced a major modernization of the armed forces and a significant increase in defense spending. The goal is not only to modernize equipment, but also to strengthen the personnel of the armed forces. The German Minister of Defense has previously warned that the Bundeswehr needs tens of thousands of new soldiers in the coming years to fulfill its commitments to its allies within NATO. Although the armed forces have launched a number of recruitment campaigns and improved service conditions, the interest of young people in a military career has so far fallen short of expectations.

Mandatory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011. Its possible reinstatement would represent a significant change in the country's security policy and could trigger a broad political and social debate. Proponents of this measure argue that the security situation in Europe is deteriorating and that there is a need to increase the state's defense capabilities. Critics, on the other hand, point to the high financial costs and the possible infringement on the personal freedoms of citizens. The decision about the future form of military service will therefore be one of the key issues of German security policy in the coming years. This information was provided by the AFP news agency.

idnes.cz / gnews.cz