Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is preparing to formally propose the reinstatement of compulsory military service within the Bundestag, the German parliament, following the summer recess. According to reports from “Der Spiegel”, the drafted motion aims to revive the obligation, which has been suspended since 2011.
AfD’s defense policy spokesperson, Rüdiger Lucassen, acknowledged that the concept is unlikely to be met with widespread enthusiasm amongst young people, but emphasized its importance in bolstering Germany’s defense capabilities.
The move represents a shift within the party, which has previously debated the merits of a reintroduced conscription. Concerns have been particularly voiced from AfD branches in eastern Germany, where there was an inclination to position the party as a force for peace. Prominent figures like Björn Höcke, the AfD’s state leader in Thuringia, recently expressed reservations about the feasibility of mandatory service given the current social climate. Ulrich Siegmund, the parliamentary group leader in Saxony-Anhalt, stated the party’s goal is to strengthen the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, as a defensive army while avoiding escalation of conflicts.
The formal motion is anticipated to be presented to the Bundestag in September.
