Growing internal CDU tensions are escalating around the protracted delays in Germany’s new conscription law, with sharp criticism directed at the SPD and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The core of the dispute centers on the perceived prioritization of symbolic gestures over tangible improvements to Germany’s military readiness.
Thomas Erndl, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s spokesperson for defence policy, voiced growing frustration with the current approach. In an interview with “Bild”, Erndl argued that discussions surrounding mandatory health checks and mobilization protocols are ultimately hollow gestures without a properly equipped and staffed military. He characterized the constant pronouncements regarding potential crisis scenarios as “careless” given the current deficiencies in personnel and matériel.
Erndl emphasized that the issue transcends ideological differences. While acknowledging the importance of a comprehensive register, he asserted that a credible deterrent effect is generated by a fully resourced military-both in terms of manpower and equipment-rather than by superficial debates concerning registration processes.
He delivered a clear message to the governing coalition: boosting deterrence requires a significantly more ambitious recruitment strategy, alongside a rigorous focus on ensuring the timely delivery and operational functionality of new weapons systems. Furthermore, he underscored the necessity of a substantial expansion of training capacity to accommodate the new conscription model, dismissing incremental improvements to existing infrastructure as inadequate. The CDU’s concerns reflect a broader apprehension within conservative circles regarding the SPD’s perceived prioritization of political symbolism over the essential upgrades needed to bolster Germany’s defence capabilities in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
