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Germany’s military chief keeps conscription options open amid Ukraine tensions

A once-unthinkable return to conscription looms over Germany. As tensions rise, will medical exams or lotteries decide who serves?

In the image there is a book with army tank and jeeps on it, it seems like a war along with a text...
In the image there is a book with army tank and jeeps on it, it seems like a war along with a text above it.

Germany’s military chief keeps conscription options open amid Ukraine tensions

Germany's Chief of Defense, Carsten Breuer, has left the door open to all options regarding conscription. This statement comes as the public is being prepared for potential military deployments, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Breuer opposes the introduction of a lottery procedure for conscription, insisting on the necessity of medical examinations for all young men. He argues that limiting this would be a self-imposed constraint on military options. However, alternatives aimed at de-escalation are largely neglected in the current discussion.

The discussion over Germany's new Conscription Act continues, with debates focusing on whether military service should be selected by lottery or based on fitness examinations. The spirit of the times is becoming increasingly belligerent, while pacifist voices are barely heard. The government and the Bundeswehr aim to be prepared for potential escalation in the war in Ukraine. Critics warn that in a crisis, fundamental freedoms could be restricted, potentially leading to forced recruitment.

The debate over conscription in Germany is ongoing, with the Chief of Defense leaving all options on the table. While the public is being prepared for potential military deployments, it is crucial to closely scrutinize developments and ensure that debates over forced conscription and military intervention do not become the norm. The once-powerful pacifist rallying cry 'Never again!' seems to have fallen silent, as the country prepares for potential escalation in the war in Ukraine.

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