(de-news.net) – Federal Family Minister Prien (CDU) has emphasized that any deliberation regarding the reintroduction of conscription must include consideration of women. She asserted that compulsory military service in the Bundeswehr ought to apply equally to both men and women, framing the issue as one of gender equality. Prien further noted that a significant number of young women already serve voluntarily.
Chancellor Merz, while acknowledging existing legal constraints, recently stated that the inclusion of women in conscription was a conceivable development. Under the current provisions of the Basic Law, only men may be drafted, and conscription has remained suspended since 2011. The extension of a general service obligation to women would necessitate a constitutional amendment, requiring a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag—support that would need to come from parties such as The Left or the AfD. Merz reiterated on the French broadcaster TF1 that, should voluntary enlistment prove insufficient, mechanisms for reinstating conscription—including for women—would need to be established. He conceded that considerable legal and political challenges remain, but affirmed that preliminary steps are underway.
Merz’s position received support from SPD deputy parliamentary leader Siemtje Möller, who argued that a genuine commitment to gender equality necessitates addressing the question of female conscription. However, she acknowledged that the likelihood of achieving the requisite constitutional amendment at present is low. Möller, formerly a State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, maintained that reinstating conscription was unnecessary, expressing confidence in the success of the newly restructured voluntary military service.
The Left Party voiced strong opposition to any constitutional amendment that would enable female conscription. Desiree Becker, the party’s spokesperson for peace and disarmament policy, contended that compelling women to serve would represent a regression rather than progress. She criticized the proposal as a disingenuous attempt at promoting equality and argued that it would undermine women’s autonomy. Becker also questioned the feasibility of securing the necessary parliamentary majority and warned against increased militarization and coercion. The Left Party affirmed its intention to resist any such initiative.
