The Party of the Left has criticized the proposed bill by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), which aims to expand the deployment of reservists, calling it disproportionate. Ulrich Thoden, the fraktion’s defence policy spokesperson, told the “Rheinische Post” that the draft law plans to “unreasonably restrict the civil rights of reservists”. Currently, military service already imposes a mandatory obligation for young people to serve in the reserve until the age of 65. Thoden argued that increasing compulsory duties would certainly not encourage more people to sign up voluntarily for military service or reserve duty.
He continued, “Setting aside the economic consequences of such a law, the planned personnel increase is neither necessary nor desirable”. Thoden noted that even without the support of the USA, NATO currently has 1.96 million active soldiers. In contrast, the Left politician stated that “Russia will have a troop strength of 1.5 million soldiers next year”. According to the party, this legislative draft is simply unnecessary for enabling the German Armed Forces to defend the country in an emergency.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) intends to restore the mandatory participation of reservists in Bundeswehr military exercises. The bill still requires approval from the cabinet.
