German Defense Official Sees Rekindled Debate on Military Conscription
Germany’s new parliamentary defense commissioner, Henning Otte, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), expects a renewed debate on the introduction of military conscription. He believes this will likely occur before the end of the current legislative period, as he told RTL and ntv in an interview.
Otte emphasized the need to build a robust personnel corps, develop skills and free the German military from administrative burdens. He believes the voluntary military service has laid the groundwork for a potential shift towards conscription, allowing for a “switching” of the military’s focus.
While acknowledging that voluntary service should be the primary motivator, Otte stressed the importance of fostering a “bond of connection” with the German military. He stated that the ultimate goal is to achieve a comprehensive defense, which requires making the military more accessible and perhaps even a bit more demanding, so that every young woman and man can consider how they can contribute to the country.