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EurActiv (8 July 2025)

Nick Alipour

While Merz’s Christian Democrats are in favour of compulsory service, the SPD remains sceptical.

Germany is set to revive a form of mandatory military service under a new draft law championed by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a controversial shift in Berlin’s defence policy. 

Germany had abolished compulsory conscription in 2011, but Pistorius has asked for its return under both the current and previous governments, citing the need to make Germany “ready for war” in light of the growing threat from Russia. 

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