Coalition Dispute: Union Insists on Lottery System for Potential Military Service
BERLIN-A proposed compromise on Germany’s future military service model is faltering as the Union bloc maintains its support for a lottery system to determine conscription, drawing criticism from coalition partner the Green Party. The dispute centers on how to equitably select individuals for mandatory service shoudl it be reintroduced in 2025.
The disagreement highlights deep divisions within the governing coalition regarding the implementation of a potential new military service model. The debate impacts young Germans, the Bundeswehr‘s future staffing, and the broader national security landscape. Failure to reach an agreement could jeopardize the entire initiative, leaving Germany without a clear plan to address projected personnel shortages in the armed forces.
Green politician Anton Hofreiter sharply criticized the lottery proposal, stating, “The Bundeswehr is not a lottery booth, military service is not a lottery.” Hofreiter argued the concept fails to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and the potential impact on young people.
According to reporting by Zeit Online on October 22, 2025, the initial compromise-which involved determining service obligations via a lottery-failed to gain traction. The Union’s continued insistence on this method underscores a fundamental disagreement over the principles guiding potential conscription. A separate Zeit Online article from October 22, 2025, details concerns that a compulsory system itself may not resolve underlying issues within the military.
