Germany moves towards drafting men for compulsory military service 

BERLIN – Germany is set to revive a form of mandatory military service under a new draft law championed by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a controversial shift in Berlin’s defence policy. 

Germany had abolished compulsory conscription in 2011, but Pistorius has asked for its return under both the current and previous governments, citing the need to make Germany “ready for war” in light of the growing threat from Russia. 

The proposed system, inspired by Sweden’s questionnaire-based model, will initially rely on volunteers but include mandatory elements, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Monday. 

The plan would require all men born after 31 December 2007 to complete online questionnaires detailing personal information and interest in serving, followed by invitations to official in-person screenings and potential conscription for some men. 

Should the voluntary enlistment fall short, the German parliament could authorise compulsory conscription based on Germany's defence needs. 

Pistorius hopes to have some 30,000 volunteers a year by 2029, with improved conditions and monthly compensation of over €2,000, a rise of 80%. The draft law puts the required peace-time size at 203,000, up from currently 181,000 troops.

But Pistorius has previously said that Germany’s armed forces are required to grow by some 60,000 troops, in line with incoming NATO capability requirements. He also wants the new conscription to help grow the stock of reservists to 200,000.

Sticking points

The move to include compulsory elements is highly controversial. Pistorius’s attempt to introduce such a law since 2023, led by his Social Democrats (SPD), failed due to staunch resistance from his own party and the Free Democrats (FDP), their coalition partner. 

While Merz's Christian Democrats are in favour of compulsory service, the SPD remains sceptical. In June, Pistorius could only narrowly avert a motion from the party’s youth wing that would have called to oppose any compulsory military service.

Crumbling 'House of Lars' threatens Germany's coalition stability 

Merz’s key ally and Germany's second-in-command, Lars Klingbeil, is struggling to unite his Social Democrats behind his pragmatist course, spelling trouble for the chancellor.

The cabinet is expected to review the new proposal in August, with Pistorius eyeing implementation for early 2026. 

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This article was corrected to clarify that the plan would apply to all men born after 31 December 2007.