Germany Approves Voluntary military Service, Launches National Service Questionnaire
BERLIN - The German Bundestag approved a measure Friday, December 5, establishing a framework for voluntary military service and a national service questionnaire, passing with a vote of 323 to 272. The bill, debated for over a year and stemming from proposals in the platforms of governing parties ahead of February 23rd legislative elections, aims to bolster national preparedness while navigating internal political divisions.
despite opposition framing the move as a return to conscription - prompting “school strikes” in several German cities modeled after the “Fridays for Future” climate movement – the legislation initially focuses on voluntary participation.However, a key component of the approved measure is a census of all eligible citizens.
Beginning in January 2026, the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) will send questionnaires to all young Germans born in 2008. Currently, due to constitutional constraints, only men will be required to respond. A constitutional amendment will be necessary to extend the response requirement to women.
The compromise reached within the ruling coalition reflects a divide between the conservative CDU-CSU bloc, which favors compulsory service, and the Social Democrats (SPD), who oppose it. The approved bill maintains voluntary service while enabling the collection of data on potential recruits, a practice Germany hasn’t undertaken in recent years.
