Most Germans want to return to compulsory military service: why?

The majority of Germans would be in favor of restoring the compulsory military service in the Central European country, suspended more than ten years ago and whose reintroduction is being discussed in full news dangerous situation in Europe created by the Russian war in Ukraine.

According to a poll conducted by the opinion institute Forsa for the RTL/ntv television channel, 52% believe that compulsory military service should be reinstated, while 44% are against it.

The majority of those who oppose the reinstatement of compulsory military service are under 30, as are supporters of the Greens and the liberal FDP party.

The strongest supporters of the reintroduction of compulsory military service are those linked to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parties, the far-right AfD and the new left-wing party BSW or Sara Wagenknecht League.

Those who vote for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are divided regarding this topic.

Debate and conflicting opinions

Compulsory military service it was discontinued in 2011 in Germanybut a few months ago the Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, had put the possibility of its reintroduction on the table, stating that its elimination was a mistake.

Pistorius wants a “war-ready Bundeswehr” he said.

Last week it revealed that it is examining models for conscription.

The SPD politician sympathizes with the Swedish model, but at the same time admits that it cannot be introduced like in Germany because it does not cover the entire age range.

He also said that the decision was not his, but that it was part of a broader debate in the German political landscape and in the governing coalition of the Greens, FDP and SPD.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the SPD, in a conversation with readers of the newspapers of the VRM media group stated that he doesn’t think it will be reintroduced a mandatory general service for young people in Germany.

In previous years recruitment had been unfair, so compulsory military service was eventually discontinued.

“We will not go back to an army with 400,000 soldiers,” he said.

To reintroduce compulsory service for young people, it would also be necessary to amend the Basic Law, as it prohibited forced labor after the experiences of the Nazi dictatorship, he explained.

However, the Bundeswehr’s so-called personnel offensive has made no progress in recent years and the number of soldiers recently fell to 181,500.

Forsa also asked in the survey whether Germans believe Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attack NATO member countries if Russia wins the war of aggression against Ukraine.

The majority of Germans, 54%, believe that the Kremlin chief would do it, while 39% believe it is impossible.

The vast majority consists of supporters of the SPD, the Greens, the FDP and the CDU They believe Putin would attack allies after a possible victory over Ukrainewhile the vast majority of AfD and BSW supporters believe that a Russian attack is out of the question.

Source: EFE