The Director of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, has intensified his call for a mandatory service year specifically for senior citizens. In an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper, Fratzscher argued that reduced birth rates among the Baby Boomer generation necessitate a form of social contribution in their later years to ensure the financial sustainability of social security systems.
Fratzscher explicitly opposes proposals that would require the younger generation to undertake a social year or military service, emphasizing their current role in supporting the existing social infrastructure. He stated that young people are presently needed in the workforce to fund pensions, healthcare and care services for the aging population.
Addressing concerns about potentially burdening individuals who already completed military or alternative service during their youth, Fratzscher confirmed his conviction that Baby Boomers should bear a dual responsibility. He suggested that the younger generation could consider a similar commitment in approximately 45 years, when they themselves reach retirement age. Fratzscher cautioned that requiring a service year from young people now would remove them from the labor market for a crucial year.
Fratzscher extended his argument to address Germany’s geopolitical challenges, asserting that the current international security situation, including the risk of conflict attributed to President Putin, is a consequence of past generations reaping the benefits of a prolonged era of peace. While acknowledging the need for increased military personnel, he questioned whether fulfilling this requirement should rely solely on mandatory service or be pursued through voluntary recruitment.
The DIW director, himself having bypassed mandatory military or alternative service during his youth, explained that a previous application to the German armed forces was ultimately rejected due to the prior service of two older brothers.