The parliamentary debate surrounding the proposed new German conscription law is facing significant hurdles, prompting calls for revisions before formal legislative proceedings begin. Thomas Röwekamp, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Defense Committee, has emphasized the urgency of defining clear personnel targets for bolstering the armed forces.
Röwekamp, in remarks to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, stated that a definitive decision regarding the reinstatement of mandatory military service must be reached by summer 2027, along with the establishment of shared criteria for personnel selection. The postponement of the initial reading of the draft bill highlights the ongoing disagreements within the government.
Germany committed to ambitious military capability enhancements at the recent NATO summit in The Hague. These commitments necessitate a 250% increase in reservist numbers and a 50% rise in active military personnel. Recent security incidents in NATO airspace and threats to critical infrastructure have underscored the need for a swift strengthening of Germany’s defense capabilities. Röwekamp expressed frustration that agreement on binding annual targets, particularly for the active military, has not been reached despite ongoing discussions with the SPD and that Defense Minister Pistorius has been hesitant to set such benchmarks.
The CDU parliamentarian cautioned that initiating the legislative process with such divergent viewpoints would be unproductive, emphasizing that the discrepancies are of vital importance for maintaining peace and security.
Norbert Röttgen, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that “still open questions” remain. He indicated that further work and discussions will be pursued privately before proceeding, deeming any alternative approach “unproductive”. The delay signals a desire for greater consensus before the formal legislative steps commence.