Order over the return of military service divides the German government

Plans for the re-introduction of military service in Germany have been thrown into chaos because of the 11th hour line among the ruling parties.

The compromise, which had to include the possibility of some mandatory summons, was downloaded.

Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said he wanted Germany to have the strongest conventional army in Europe.

But on Tuesday night, a press conference was abruptly canceled before a draft bill came out to parliament on Thursday. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius denied the allegations of “torpedo” of plans.

Although it is the largest EU economy, the military in Germany has been poorly funded for decades after the end of the Cold War.

Berlin is now in a hurry to increase costs and staff, with warnings that NATO Western Alliance members have to prepare for A possible Russian attack within four yearsS

However, military service remains a politically sensitive issue.

A significant section of German society remains deeply cautious of the summons and re -reinforcement, given the catastrophic consequences of remission in the 20th century.

Nevertheless, a recent Forsa survey of Stern suggested that 54% of people prefer a mandatory service while 41% opposed it.

The opposition increased to 63% among 18 to 29 years.

Germany wants to expand its armed forces from the current 183,000 active servicemen and women up to 260,000 to 2035 – plus 200,000 reservists.

Under a project of plans announced this summer, 18-year-olds will be asked to complete an online questionnaire For their experience and willingness to serve at least six months.

It will be mandatory for men to complete the questionnaire, but optional for women.

The Government, composed of the conservative CDU/CSU of Merz and the Social Democrat SPD at the Center, agreed in its contract as a coalition to introduce military service, which would be voluntary to “start with”.

However, CDU politicians – including Chancellor Merz – are increasingly emitting fears that a purely voluntary system will not be sufficient.

This week, negotiators from the two coalition parties have taken out a complicated compromise that, according to German media, would involve a multi -stage process.

The details are not completely clear, but the reports suggest that if they are not voluntary enough, enough scientists can be used, then a lottery system can be used.

Choosing young men can be summoned for a medical or even compulsory service, if necessary, should be missed a personnel goal.

However, in the ranks of SPD there is resistance to any form of compulsory service.

SPD Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is strongly behind the ambitions for the military, but believes that the latest plans are impractical.

Instead of a lottery, he supports suggestions for all eligible young men to undergo medical since July 2027, so Bundeswehr has a clear picture of the available workforce.

Pistorian has played the political impasse and insisted that a new law would still be directed to enter into force next year.

His initial proposals, which focus on voluntary staff recruitment, are now expected to be imported on Thursday – but will probably be the subject of a more fierce debate.

The German Ministry of Defense is facing a sophisticated logistical challenge in the construction of the infrastructure, which will be required to match its expanded military ambitions.

The prize was stopped in Germany in 2011. Young men were able to choose or serve, or, if conscientious objects, choose social work.