Survey Reveals Generational Divide on Military Conscription in Germany

The debate surrounding Germany's defense policies has intensified, particularly regarding the potential reintroduction of military conscription. This topic has become a point of contention during coalition negotiations between the Union and the Social Democrats.

The Union advocates for reinstating the military draft, which was suspended in 2011. Conversely, the Social Democrats propose a voluntary service, a concept previously suggested by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during the previous coalition government.

Germany is not alone in this conversation; other European nations are also witnessing a shift towards mandatory military service. For instance, France has seen increasing support for such a measure. Denmark has maintained its conscription system, and starting in 2026, young women will also be required to serve. Similarly, Lithuania has reintroduced conscription in response to security concerns following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Currently, only a handful of EU countries, mostly in Scandinavia and the Baltic region, along with Austria and Greece, have compulsory military service.

In Germany, public sentiment has shifted since April 2024 when a poll indicated that 46% supported reintroducing conscription. Recent data shows that this number has risen to 49%. Notably, older citizens (50 years and above) overwhelmingly favor reinstating the draft, while younger citizens (ages 18 to 29) largely oppose it, possibly due to the prospect of being drafted themselves.

When asked whether conscription should also apply to women, public opinion is almost evenly split, with 48% in favor and 35% against. However, among women, there is a slight majority opposing the idea of mandatory service.

Implementing such a change would require amending the constitution, necessitating a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. Additionally, discussions persist regarding the duration of military service. Following the end of the Cold War, the service period was reduced from 15 months in 1990 to just six months at present. Even before the suspension of conscription, there was a rise in the number of individuals deemed unfit for service.

In light of these discussions, there is a pressing need for a robust military strategy. Currently, the Bundeswehr employs approximately 182,857 active personnel, alongside 80,000 civilian staff, totaling around 260,000 individuals. General Inspector Carsten Breuer has indicated that for Germany to fulfill its NATO commitments effectively, the military would need to expand to 460,000 personnel.