The leader of the Jusos, the youth wing of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Philipp Türmer, has rejected calls from members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to amend conscription laws to automatically reinstate mandatory military service if the armed forces fail to attract sufficient volunteers. Speaking to RTL and ntv television, Türmer stated, “We are against compulsory elements and we are also against activatable possibilities within the law that would reintroduce conscription.
Türmer emphasized that the governing coalition must not include any loopholes that could lead to a return to mandatory service. “We need a clear decision now and that decision must be that we rely on voluntary commitment”. He argued that deterring potential Russian aggression against NATO territory requires highly qualified professional and volunteer soldiers and this is best achieved through improved conditions and incentives, not compulsion.
He further noted the trend among major European nations toward voluntary armed forces, stating that drafting 700,000 young men annually would be excessive. Türmer’s remarks underscore a continuing debate within Germany regarding the future of its military and the balance between maintaining a robust defense force and upholding individual liberties.