German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has publicly expressed support for the reintroduction of mandatory military conscription, a system that was suspended in 2011.
In an interview with public broadcaster ZDF, set to air Sunday evening, Steinmeier called for a national debate on military service and strengthening the Bundeswehr, especially as European security faces serious challenges from the war in Ukraine and the uncertain U.S. stance on transatlantic relations.
“I’m in favor of compulsory military service,” Steinmeier declared.
He emphasized that although conscription was suspended 14 years ago, it remains embedded in the German Constitution and can be reinstated with a simple majority vote in the Bundestag.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has proposed reintroducing conscription by 2027, starting with 15,000 recruits—if defense policy requires it.
“We now need a more attractive Bundeswehr that appeals to young people,” Pistorius stated.
However, President Steinmeier warned that voluntary recruitment alone may not be enough to meet Germany’s defense needs.
“That’s why we need a serious debate about military conscription now,” he said, adding that implementation wouldn’t happen overnight due to the closure of barracks and loss of training personnel after 2011.
