Compulsory military service is unlikely to apply to women in Germany any time soon, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who sees many obstacles to its introduction.
When asked on Monday about a debate over amending the Basic Law, Germany’s de facto constitution, to introduce compulsory military service for women, Merz said: “I can imagine it, but that is certainly only the third or fourth step. We will first take the first and second steps in the right direction and then continue the discussion.”
“The Basic Law clearly states that only men may be conscripted for military service,” Merz said. “Whether this is still appropriate today and whether it may need to be changed is a matter for political and socio-political debate.”
Conscription for men remains enshrined in the Basic Law and could be reintroduced by a simple majority. A general duty to serve, which would then apply to women, would require an amendment to the Basic Law, which requires a two-thirds majority.
The chancellor noted that barracks and trainers are lacking after the infrastructure for the armed forces was systematically dismantled once conscription was suspended in 2011.
He said the government has taken the first step to boost the country’s defence architecture with its new military service bill, which proposes reintroducing military service in a voluntary capacity.
The bill, backed by the Cabinet, would create a new voluntary programme aimed at young men and includes options for conscription if the recruitment drive is unsuccessful.
