Germany Approves New Military Recruitment Plan, Reintroducing Voluntary Service
German lawmakers approved a plan to boost military personnel to 260,000 by 2035, reintroducing voluntary service for 18-year-olds with incentives, while avoiding immediate conscription.
Overview
German lawmakers approved a plan to attract more military recruits, aiming to increase personnel from 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035, without immediately reintroducing conscription.
The plan reintroduces voluntary military service for 18-year-olds, with all individuals in this age group receiving a questionnaire starting January 2026 to gauge their interest.
Military service is mandatory for men and voluntary for women; 18-year-old men must answer the questionnaire and undergo medical exams from July 2027.
Germany is increasing incentives for voluntary military service, offering a promised salary of 2,600 a month to attract more recruits to the armed forces.
The German Defense Ministry will report recruitment figures to parliament every six months starting in 2027, monitoring the effectiveness of the new recruitment strategy.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting a balanced and factual account of Germany's new military recruitment plan. They provide comprehensive details on the legislation, its context, and various perspectives without editorializing or using loaded language. The reporting focuses on informing readers about the policy and its implications.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Germany is increasing its military recruitment in response to rising security concerns, particularly the threat posed by Russia, and the need to strengthen its armed forces.
Germany is offering a monthly salary of €2,600 to those who volunteer for military service, along with improved pay, better training, and more flexible service terms.
No, conscription is not being reintroduced immediately. The plan is currently voluntary, but the government has left open the possibility of compulsory service if voluntary recruitment targets are not met.
All 18-year-olds will receive the questionnaire, but only men are required to answer it. Starting in July 2027, men will also be required to undergo medical examinations.
The German Defense Ministry will report recruitment figures to parliament every six months starting in January 2027 to assess the effectiveness of the new strategy.
History
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