Summary of the Proposed German Military Service Model
This article details a compromise reached between the SPD and the Union (CDU/CSU) regarding a new military service model for Germany, aimed at bolstering the Bundeswehr‘s ranks to meet NATO requirements (around 80,000 additional soldiers). Here’s a breakdown:
key Features of the Plan:
* Voluntary First: The primary focus is on attracting volunteers through incentives like better pay.
* Questionnaire: All 18-year-old men will be required to fill out a questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve.
* Three-Tier System (Based on the Danish Model):
* Tier 1: Voluntary Service: Individuals volunteer for at least six months of service.
* Tier 2: Lottery System: If volunteer numbers are insufficient, a lottery will be held to select a portion of the year group for potential service. Those selected will be actively encouraged to volunteer.
* Tier 3: Compulsory Conscription (with Parliamentary Approval): If the lottery doesn’t fill the gaps, the bundestag would need to vote to forcibly conscript those remaining.
* No Muster (General Draft): Unlike previous systems, there will be no general muster of all young men. The abolished district military replacement offices make this impractical.
* Status Change: Those in military service will not be classified as “temporary soldiers,” meaning they won’t be eligible for foreign missions.
Political Reactions:
* SPD: Praises the agreement, emphasizing the importance of voluntariness and the fairness of the lottery system.They believe it’s constitutionally feasible.
* Union (CDU/CSU): Views the lottery as a fair and obvious solution.
* Left Party: Strongly opposes the plan, comparing it negatively to “The Hunger Games.”
* Greens: Rejects the lottery as arbitrary, bureaucratic, and ineffective, arguing it won’t motivate unwilling individuals.
The core issue being addressed is how to increase the number of soldiers in the Bundeswehr without resorting to full conscription, while also ensuring fairness in the process. The lottery system is presented as a compromise to address the concerns of both parties – the SPD’s aversion to mandatory service and the Union’s desire for a binding mechanism to achieve troop targets.