Hermann Gröhe, the president of the German Red Cross (DRK), has welcomed the plans for a new civil service but simultaneously warned the authorities about the crucial need for reliable funding. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, Gröhe stated that if mandatory military conscription were to return, a civil service program would also be necessary.
The DRK has decades of experience managing civil service programs and currently operates as the largest provider of volunteer services in Germany. Gröhe emphasized that the organization understands exactly what is required to enable young people to contribute meaningfully to society.
Therefore, if a new civil service program were introduced, he insisted that forward planning must begin immediately. This requires sufficient time for establishing the structure and ensuring reliable financial support for the organizations running the civil service placements. Both of these aspects need to be secured in advance.
However, should the mandatory military duty remain suspended, Gröhe argued that there must be significant strengthening of existing volunteer services. He demanded that “those who dedicate themselves voluntarily require better structural conditions.”
