Ruderich Kiesewetter, a federal foreign‑policy spokesperson for the CDU, has called on President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier to initiate a debate about a mandatory social year. “I would like to see intensive discussions between churches, trade unions and policymakers” Kiesewetter told “Die Welt” on Saturday. “The President could invite everyone to this debate in his last year in office”.
Kiesewetter argues that the current discussion about conscription is too narrow. “We are not talking about compulsory military service; we must talk about a compulsory year of service for society” he said.
Surveys indicate that a portion of the fit population might leave the country if an attack occurs. “We need to offer them an alternative. Yes, it is expensive, but if it concerns preventing war, I need resolve. We are far from that” the CDU member said. “That is why such a service is important: it would obligate people but also give them a vote of confidence-public protection, disaster relief, nursing assistance, emergency services, integration and education work, and military service”.
The federal government has recently limited the options for voluntary service. According to the Foreign Office, led by Johann Wadephul (CDU), the “Kulturweit” voluntary service will be discontinued to save about 5 million euros per year.
Kiesewetter explained that the armed forces currently need 20,000 personnel, and in a few years 60,000 young men and women for service. “That is achievable-one cohort has about 800,000 people. Narrowing the debate to only one aspect stifles society because it is not about crisis resilience” he said. “It is not about encouraging war; it is about making it clear that if we want to prevent war, we must be ready”.
He said the difficulty in starting this debate stems from a lack of political will, and that politicians need to present what appears to be a burden as an opportunity to make the country more resilient and a better partner for its allies. “More courage for truth is required. We must tell the public more clearly what is happening” he added. “Do we want to let the daily drone flights over Russian vessels across German ports and energy plants keep happening?”
People often say Germany is not at war with Russia. “But Russia considers itself at war with us-and it is conducting that war” Kiesewetter said. “We need to explain to the public: Since 2013, Russia has defined war by the Gerassimow doctrine-hybrid information distortion, civilian sabotage and military expansion”.