Germany takes 'first step towards compulsory conscription': Defense Minister forces young people to find out if they want to join the army

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to force young people to indicate whether they can join the army and whether they want to. The Weekly has that Oil dies Announced on Wednesday. Pistorius wants to do this through a registration system that Germany also used until thirteen years ago. according to Oil dies The plan is “a first step towards the possibility of restoring compulsory conscription.”

The German army suffers from a shortage of men. Pistorius wants to go from 181,000 soldiers to 270,000 men and women. He also wants to increase the number of reserve soldiers, which currently stands at 34,000, to 260,000 individuals.

The Defense Minister's plan includes a mandatory questionnaire for young men, with young women being able to complete it voluntarily. Some young people are then called in for a physical exam. Pistorius expects 40,000 young people to attend this event every year, some of whom will move on to the army. In 2011, Germany suspended military service for men. Parliament can reverse this decision. Pistorius proposes compulsory conscription for six months, with the option to extend voluntarily.

The Minister of Defense said about his proposal to the newspaper: “Democracy cannot defend itself. The people must do that and society must want that.” Die Felt. The plan sparked mixed reactions in German politics. According to ARD, Saskia Eskin, leader of Pistorius' Social Democratic Party, defends the importance of volunteering. “Self-determination is crucial to the acceptance of democracy.”

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