Germany’s leading opposition party has signaled potential amendments to proposed legislation concerning national service, just prior to a cabinet review of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius’ plans.
Thomas Röwekamp, Chairman of the Defence Committee, expressed concerns in comments published Monday, stating the current draft law does not adequately address present security policy challenges. He highlighted significant personnel shortages within the Bundeswehr, estimating a shortfall of over 80,000 professional and temporary soldiers, alongside 140,000 reservists. Röwekamp questioned whether voluntary recruitment alone would sufficiently address these gaps.
He argued that a mechanism for reactivating conscription should be built into the legislation, to be triggered if recruitment targets are not met. Röwekamp specifically referenced the “Swedish model” – an approach also considered by Minister Pistorius during the development of the reform – which incorporates a pathway toward compulsory service.
The CDU politician emphasized the importance of establishing incremental, yearly expansion targets and underlined the need for an automatic shift toward compulsory service should those targets prove unattainable. Röwekamp pledged to introduce these necessary modifications during the parliamentary process in the Bundestag.