Disagreements are brewing among parliamentary groups following a change in conscription law. According to “Welt” men under the age of 45 will soon need approval from the Bundeswehr if they plan to travel abroad for more than three months. Although this rule has been in effect since the beginning of the year, its actual relevance remains unclear without a mandatory military service obligation passed by the Bundestag.
Thomas Erndl, the defense policy spokesperson for the CDU, described the provision as part of the military registry process. Erndl told “Welt” that, “the regulation is part of the military registry, just like the mandatory check-up, and can be seen as formally independent of a compulsory call-up under a need-based military service obligation”. However, he also advocated for a practical implementation: as long as military service remains voluntary, he argued that there should be no real approval process. Instead, he suggested a simple “notification obligation”.
The Left party linked the regulation to the possibility of a mandatory military service. Desirée Becker, the deputy faction leader, told “Welt” that, “we firmly assume that this will happen. We are not warning for nothing about its reintroduction and the massive infringements on fundamental rights that would accompany it, ever since the coalition took office”. Becker also pointed out that the current commotion showed how “poorly engineered” the law was.
Sara Nanni, the Green party’s defense policy spokesperson, demanded clarity. Speaking to “Welt” she stated, “I expect a quick clarification from the ministry. Citizens have a right to know quickly whether and, if so, what reporting duties they have”.
The AfD group also flagged issues. Rüdiger Lucassen, the defense policy spokesperson, warned that the “possible consequences of the Military Modernization Act…. are serious and enter into force not only in times of tension or defense, but even if the Bundestag passes a need-based military service obligation with a simple majority”. Following this, Lucassen advised the federal government to “develop a pragmatic solution without significant administrative effort and unnecessary burdens on young men”.