Friedrich Merz demands conscription to boost German military strength
- Friedrich Merz has proposed to gradually reintroduce conscription in Germany due to a severe shortage of military personnel.
- The German armed forces currently lack 30,000 professional soldiers and need an additional 60,000 reservists.
- The proposal aims to train up to 30,000 conscripts annually, enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.
In the context of Germany's military needs, Friedrich Merz, who is the head of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has laid out plans for a selective conscription. Facing a serious personnel shortage within the armed forces, where the number of active professional soldiers is reported to be 30,000 less than the necessary target of 210,000, the CDU leader has suggested this initiative in light of rising national defense requirements. Merz envisions a system that would allow the military to train roughly 30,000 conscripts annually, aiming to bolster the strength of the country's reserves significantly. The necessity for the proposed conscription arises from various factors, including current political dynamics and shifting public attitudes towards military service in Germany. With Olaf Scholz's party gaining traction in public opinion polls, Merz's proposition appears to be a strategic move to position his party more favorably in an evolving political landscape. The shortage of personnel has been amplified by defense experts and military leaders advocating for a larger and more capable military to address emerging threats, both from within Europe and beyond. In recent years, the situation has been exacerbated by cuts in military budgets and a lack of young recruits choosing to enter the armed forces. As a consequence, the German military has found itself in a position where it is unable to adequately fulfill its commitments or defend the nation effectively. This alarming situation has spurred ongoing discussions about the need to reform military recruitment strategies. Consequently, Merz's suggestion to revise Germany’s approach to conscription is generating a significant amount of debate. On the political front, it is likely to challenge the incumbent government's military policies while also addressing the pent-up urgency for revitalizing the country’s defense capabilities. The overarching goal of this proposal is not only to respond to the current personnel crisis but also to assure the public and political stakeholders that Germany is prepared to meet its defense obligations in an increasingly complex global security environment.