(de-news.net) – The Bavarian Minister-President, Markus Söder (CSU), has reiterated the necessity of compulsory military service in advance of the federal cabinet’s deliberations on a proposed voluntary enlistment framework. He argued that enduring structural measures are essential to ensure the long-term effectiveness of both national and NATO defense capabilities.

Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) is expected to present a plan that prioritizes voluntary participation, with a provision for transitioning to mandatory service should recruitment targets remain unmet. While Söder acknowledged the proposal as a preliminary step, he expressed reservations regarding the sufficiency of incentive-based recruitment and cautioned against potential delays.
Parliamentary representatives from the CDU have criticized the draft concept, citing strategic deficiencies and highlighting a significant shortfall in personnel across both active-duty and reserve forces. Concerns were raised about the viability of voluntary enlistment alone, with calls for an automatic mechanism to initiate compulsory service if necessary.

Germany aims to expand its armed forces to 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists by the early 2030s. As part of the voluntary service initiative, all individuals aged 18 are contacted, with male respondents required to reply and provide preliminary information for medical screening.