German President Supports Return of Military Conscription Amid Ukraine Conflict

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has advocated for reintroducing compulsory military service to strengthen the country's armed forces amid the ongoing security challenges posed by Russia's war in Ukraine and shifts in transatlantic relations. Although Germany suspended conscription in 2011, it remains constitutionally permissible and could be reinstated through parliamentary approval, with a general conscription including women requiring a constitutional amendment. Steinmeier emphasized the need for a national debate on conscription, stressing that voluntary enlistment might not be sufficient to meet military personnel demands. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius supports efforts to make military service more attractive and plans to start with 15,000 new voluntary conscripts, with a framework to reinstate conscription if necessary. The German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has prioritized voluntary military service but acknowledges the importance of having conscription as a backup to address evolving security threats. Steinmeier called for this debate to ensure Germany is better prepared, highlighting that barracks and personnel reductions since 2011 complicate the immediate reinstatement of conscription.