In a recent interview, Heidi Reichinnek, the co-leader of the Linken party, expressed her openness to a discussion on the potential increase of the German Bundeswehr by up to 60,000 soldiers. Reichinnek emphasized the need for a thorough debate on the matter, stating, “I think it’s good that a number is now being mentioned and that we’re finally dealing with this question. This is a debate that must be had: how many soldiers do we need and above all, for what?”
Reichinnek criticized the current approach, saying that instead of having a meaningful discussion, decisions are being made without a clear understanding of the Bundeswehr’s role and the necessary resources. “We need to clarify the fundamental questions: what is the Bundeswehr’s mission, what equipment does it need and with how many people can it achieve that?” she said.
The debate on the potential increase in soldiers has been fueled by the announcement of the German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, who plans to meet NATO’s planning targets with an additional 60,000 soldiers. This development has once again raised the question of the mandatory military service in Germany, which is currently on hold. Any significant reform of the mandatory service, including the inclusion of women or the introduction of a social year for all, would require a change to the German constitution, which would necessitate a two-thirds majority in the coalition. The Linken party’s support would be necessary to achieve this without the votes of the AfD, while the Union remains committed to its incompatibility resolution, applying to both the Linken and the AfD.