"In the Bundeswehr, in any event, a structure must be created that will let for a fast return to compulsory military service. This will not happen overnight, but we gotta start preparing," said the Spahn paper "Rheinische Post".
More soldiers
He stressed that Germany must be able to defend again, which would require an army increase of up to 60,000 additional soldiers. "If this can be achieved on a voluntary basis, that's good. However, I have the impression that compulsory military service will be needed for this," said CDU politician.
The Bundestag's typical for the Henning Otte Armed Forces besides advocates a military work if there are not adequate volunteers. "If that is not enough, we must add mandatory elements," said CDU politician in an interview for the paper "Welt am Sonntag".
Women in trouble?
Mandatory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011, after 55 years. Until then, it was only for men. It is presently being discussed whether it should include women.
"If the old compulsory military service is reinstated, it will only apply to men. That's what the Basic Act says, otherwise the Constitution will should be changed. I don't think this will happen in the next 4 years," said Jens Spahn
A two-thirds majority of the Bundestag and Bundesrat votes are required to amend the Basic Act, with representatives of the German national governments.
In turn, erstwhile German defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, besides from the CDU's leadership, would like to extend compulsory military service to women. "If we look at the data on the drop in birth rate, the question will yet arise as to whether we can do without any group. In another words, women should besides be put into the army," said paper politician "Berliner Zeitung". Kramp-Karrenbauer besides advocated preparing for a possible re-establishment of the collection right now.
Social Democrats Careful
The word "conscription" does not appear in the coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD. The agreement states, "We will make a fresh attractive military service, which will initially be based on volunteer service."
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius of the coalition Social Democratic SPD has late made it clear that the agreed volunteer military service will apply only if the request for soldiers can be met in this way.
According to DPA, social democrats are cautious about the proposals for chadeks to prepare for the restoration of compulsory military service.
– We are working hard to inspire young men and women to service in our armed forces. For this to happen, the Bundeswehr infrastructure must be importantly improved and attractive and flexible career models should be offered. We're working on it. Anyone who avoids these essential efforts and relies solely on coercion makes this task much easier for himself," said the SPD expert on defence Falko Drossmann.
