Markus Söder, head of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union, has criticized Berlin’s plan to use only volunteers to expand the armed forces.
Markus Söder, leader of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), has said Germany should reintroduce compulsory military service to increase the size of its armed forces.
Berlin has sparked nationwide protests after it introduced a voluntary service model effective January 1. Critics warn it could pave the way for reinstating conscription, which was suspended in 2011 under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“It is clear to us: If the Bundeswehr is to become the largest army in Europe, military service is indispensable,” Söder told Bild in an interview on Sunday.
“With volunteers alone we will not be able to achieve the essential security that our country needs,” The leader of the SCU, which is part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s ruling coalition, called for an emphasis on mandatory military service. “Need to come as soon as possible.”
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Germany has accelerated recruitment, aiming to increase the Bundeswehr from about 186,000 troops to 260,000 by the mid-2030s, as well as 200,000 reserves. “The Russian Threat.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected claims that Moscow has aggressive intentions against NATO countries “Nonsense.” Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that Berlin’s continued military build-up could lead to another tragedy on a global scale similar to World War II.
Earlier this month, Andre Denk, head of the European Defense Agency (EDA), suggested that compulsory military service could be reinstated in the EU. He also said that his home country Germany would eventually go down the same path.
Croatia, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and the UK have all either restarted conscription, increased conscription, or raised the age limits for military service and reservists.
The Kremlin has consistently criticized the West “Reckless Militarization” And Ukraine cited NATO’s expansion toward Russia’s borders as one of the causes of the conflict.
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