Greens Advocate for Gender Equality in Mandatory Military Service

The debate surrounding military service in Germany is gaining momentum as the Greens' parliamentary leader, Katharina Dröge, emphasizes the need for gender equality in this context. With the country having suspended mandatory military service in July 2011, the current military service is voluntary. However, both the Union and SPD parties are exploring new models to increase enlistment amid changing geopolitical dynamics.

Dröge has expressed support for a proposal by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, suggesting that a mandatory questionnaire regarding the willingness to undergo military service be sent to young people. While she acknowledges the potential of this approach, she also advocates for a legal entitlement to voluntary service.

Dröge asserts that societal responsibilities should be equally shared among genders, stating that if military service is to be considered for women, then comprehensive equality must also be established in other areas such as family and caregiving responsibilities.

Currently, the Bundeswehr comprises approximately 24,842 female soldiers, accounting for about 13% of the total force. Dröge believes that, in the future, women should also be required to fill out the questionnaire, paralleling the obligations placed on men, but emphasizes that this must coincide with broader equality measures in society.

She firmly opposes the idea of a compulsory 'Freedom Service' proposed by her Bavarian party colleagues, asserting that the approach of mandating young individuals to contribute to their country through coercion is misguided. Instead, she highlights the existing willingness among many in society to engage and contribute, which should be fostered through improved conditions.

The Bavarian Greens have suggested that all individuals aged between 18 and 67 be mandated to serve for six months, either in military service or in civil roles such as disaster relief, fire services, or societal service. Meanwhile, Florian Hahn, a defense policy spokesperson from the CSU, has urged for a swift reinstatement of compulsory military service, arguing that Germany's current vulnerabilities necessitate immediate action.

The call for increased military personnel comes amid reports of a declining number of service members in the Bundeswehr, which had 182,857 individuals as of January 31, 2025, a slight decrease from 183,050 in 2022. Moreover, the average age of personnel has risen from 32.4 years in 2019 to 34 years in 2024, indicating an aging military force.