Jens Spahn, leader of the Union faction, is advocating for the Bundeswehr to prepare for the potential reinstatement of mandatory military service in Germany.

He emphasized that while achieving recruitment goals through voluntary service would be ideal, he remains skeptical about its feasibility and suggests that conscription may ultimately be necessary.

Spahn believes that Germany needs to bolster its defense capabilities, which may require recruiting up to 60,000 additional soldiers to meet NATO's new defense objectives.

He noted that if voluntary enlistment does not suffice, mandatory service will be essential to fulfill recruitment needs.

Despite the previous government's failure to pass military service reform, Spahn expressed confidence that the new government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz will implement a new conscription law, aiming for it to take effect by January 2026.

Bundestag Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte, supports mandatory service and urges the government to draft a constitutionally sound law for its implementation this year.

Spahn stated that a structured approach must be established to facilitate a swift reintroduction of conscription, indicating that preparations should begin immediately.

When asked about the applicability of conscription to women, Spahn clarified that under current constitutional law, it would only apply to men, and he does not foresee any constitutional changes in the near future.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reiterated that voluntary service will only be maintained if recruitment goals are met through this approach.

The coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD does not explicitly mention the reintroduction of conscription, focusing instead on creating an attractive voluntary military service.

Former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer supports extending compulsory service to women, citing declining birth rates and the need for all demographics to contribute.

André Wüstner, head of the Bundeswehr Association, advised the government to lay the groundwork for the potential reintroduction of conscription, emphasizing the need for a more attractive voluntary service to meet NATO goals.