A senior figure from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has sharply criticized Defence Minister Boris Pistorius’ approach to potential conscription, arguing that a reliance on favourable developments in the security landscape is insufficient. Norbert Röttgen, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s deputy leader, stated that simply waiting for the security situation to deteriorate further would be irresponsible.
Röttgen voiced concerns regarding a perceived lack of concrete details within the proposed legislation concerning the activation of conscription, should volunteer numbers prove insufficient to meet Germany’s defence needs. He emphasized the need for clearly defined milestones that would trigger a shift from a volunteer army to a system incorporating compulsory service, aligning with the Swedish model outlined in the governing coalition agreement.
He also pointed to the significant financial flexibility afforded to the Defence Minister through an exception to the country’s debt brake, arguing that these fiscal resources must be backed up by corresponding personnel increases. Röttgen highlighted the goal of expanding the armed forces to 260,000 active personnel by 2035, necessitating substantial recruitment.
The CDU has publicly expressed reservations about Pistorius’ plans for weeks. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul previously lodged a reservation regarding the legislation, temporarily halting its progress, but withdrew this objection following a crisis meeting on Monday. Röttgen defended Wadephul’s initial action, stating that the Foreign Minister was justified in demanding a strong alignment between the bill and broader security considerations, particularly regarding the foundations of Germany’s defence capabilities.