Germany Eyes Return of Military Draft as Volunteer Recruitment Falters
Sarah Johnson
May 25, 2025
Brief
Germany may reinstate military draft if voluntary recruitment fails, as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius outlines new service model to address troop shortages.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has signaled a potential return of compulsory military service if voluntary recruitment fails to bolster the nation’s understaffed armed forces. In a candid interview, Pistorius outlined a new military service model, initially leaning on volunteers but with a clear warning: mandatory conscription could make a comeback if numbers fall short.
The plan, part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to strengthen national defense, aims to have a new military service bill in place by January 2026. Germany’s military has faced recruitment challenges since suspending the draft in 2011, a move now under scrutiny as security threats in Europe escalate, particularly since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Pistorius also emphasized efforts to reactivate reservists to shore up readiness.
The debate over reinstating the draft reflects growing unease about Germany’s ability to respond to evolving geopolitical risks. With troop shortages plaguing the Bundeswehr, Pistorius’s roadmap signals a pragmatic shift, balancing volunteerism with the looming possibility of obligation.
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Editor's Comments
Looks like Germany’s dusting off the draft playbook—guess they’re tired of asking nicely for soldiers! Pistorius is playing it cool, but mandating service feels like a Cold War remix nobody asked for.
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