A faction within the German Green Party is pushing for a radical overhaul of civic duty, proposing a universal, compulsory “Gesellschaftsjahr” (Civic Year) aimed at bolstering societal resilience and redefining national service. A motion, gaining traction ahead of the party’s November federal congress, advocates for a system requiring all citizens, regardless of gender, to participate in a period of societal contribution following compulsory schooling and extending potentially beyond the retirement age.
The proposed Civic Year, lasting between nine and twelve months, would offer participants a choice of engagement areas, including the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), civil defense, disaster relief, or social service organizations. Supporters frame the initiative not as a return to traditional conscription, but as a “shared project of all generations” designed to forge a “new social contract for the 21st century.
The impetus comes amidst growing anxieties about geopolitical instability and a perceived erosion of social cohesion. Key figures within the Green Party, including North Rhine-Westphalia’s Deputy Minister-President Mona Neubaur, Hamburg’s Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank and Bundestag Committee chairs, have lent their support to the proposal, highlighting a need to re-evaluate Germany’s approach to national service.
The motion arrives at a particularly sensitive juncture, following a turbulent and ultimately unsuccessful attempt by the current coalition government to reinstate compulsory military service. Tarek Al-Wazir, chair of the Bundestag’s Transport Committee, explicitly criticized the previous efforts, arguing a solely militaristic approach disregards modern concerns and risks reinstating “degrading” processes for conscientious objectors. He championed a broader model encompassing civic engagement as a core element of national duty.
While proponents portray the Civic Year as a means of reinforcing democratic values and fostering intergenerational solidarity, the initiative has already drawn criticism. Skeptics question the feasibility of such an ambitious program, raising concerns about funding, logistical challenges and potential for bureaucratic entanglement. Further, some argue a mandatory service requirement could be viewed as a restriction on individual liberties and potentially exacerbate existing social inequalities, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations.
The proposal’s explicit acknowledgement of extending participation beyond the traditional working age – potentially even into retirement – signals a profound shift in German conceptions of citizenship and societal obligation, raising fundamental questions about the role of the state and the enduring responsibility of its citizens. The ensuing debate at the federal congress is likely to be contentious and the final outcome will significantly shape the future direction of the Green Party’s social policy agenda.