Germany Weighs Mandatory National Service Amid Rising Security Threats
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter has urged Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to kickstart discussions on a mandatory year of national service. The proposal comes as Germany faces growing security concerns and a surge in military recruitment, with over 13,500 young people now in voluntary military service—the highest number in years.
Kiesewetter argues that the current debate on conscription should shift toward a broader civic obligation. Instead of focusing only on military needs, he proposes a structured program offering choices: civil defence, disaster relief, eldercare, emergency services, integration work, education, or military service. He believes this approach would strengthen society's resilience while deterring conflict.
The Bundeswehr's recruitment figures support the urgency of his call. As of January 2026, active personnel reached 186,400—the highest since 2013—with voluntary military service numbers climbing from 12,169 in late 2025 to over 13,500. The military plans to muster males born in 2008 from July 2027, signalling a potential return to conscription. Yet Kiesewetter warns that Russia's hybrid warfare—through disinformation, sabotage, and military expansion—demands a wider response than just troop numbers. He criticises political hesitation, attributing it to a reluctance to frame challenges as opportunities. The government has already cut voluntary service options, discontinuing the *kulturweit* program to save €5 million annually. With the Bundeswehr needing 20,000 recruits now and 60,000 in future, Kiesewetter insists a mandatory civic year could fill gaps while fostering social cohesion. He proposes high-level talks involving churches, trade unions, and politicians to shape the plan.
The call for a mandatory service year arrives as Germany's military grows but faces broader threats. Kiesewetter's plan aims to address recruitment shortfalls while preparing society for crises beyond warfare. If adopted, the policy would mark a shift from voluntary participation to a structured national obligation.
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