Senior German Social Democrat insists no compulsory military draft
"The coalition agreement clearly states that we are in favour of voluntary service," Matthias Miersch, the leader of the Social Democrats (SDP) parliamentary group - the junior partner in the conservative-led government - told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.
"We can negotiate compulsory military service in the next legislative period if necessary, but not in this one," he added in remarks published on Saturday, referring to the tenure of the current parliament which is due to run until 2029.
Miersch said the goal of 60,000 additional soldiers, cited by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, is achievable only in the medium term: "At the moment, there is not nearly enough training capacity available."
Military service was mandatory for Germany men from 1956 to 2011, with the possibility of doing civilian service instead on grounds of conscientious objection.
However, due to the Ukraine war and the perceived increased Russian threat to Europe, there has been discussion of reintroducing the draft as in some EU states, such as Lithuania in 2015 and Croatia wich is planning to do so this year. It comes amid a broader rearmament effort among European nations.
Pistorius, also from the SPD, has said that another 60,000 troops would be needed in Germany's active forces for NATO's planning targets for increased defence capability.
The new parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Henning Otte, who like Chancellor Friedrich Merz comes from the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), has floated the idea of renewed conscription to prevent the Bundeswehr – Germany's military - from being overstretched.
As the new commissioner, Otte told reporters that he intended to "put this on my agenda again this year."
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