Germany's CDU and SPD clash over military conscription

Even before the joint governing coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD is finalised, some opposing politicians are disagreeing about the possible reintroduction of conscription.

CDU/CSU parliamentary group deputy Johann Wadephul (CDU) said on Sunday that he was open to the idea - taking the opposite line from SPD leader Lars Klingbeil.

Klingbeil had advocated for the voluntary service model set out in the coalition agreement.

This model, which has been championed by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), involves young people filling in a survey on their fitness and willingness to serve, with the best recruits being invited for military service. 

However, Wadephul - who is considered a possible candidate for the post of Foreign Minister in the coalition - said the system may not be enough to supply the recruits needed to defend Germany. 

"The CDU/CSU would have supported immediate conscription because we need to have at least 100,000 more people trained in military service in four years," he told Tagesspiegel. "Now we are starting with voluntary service, which we actually want to make attractive."

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During the legislative period, he said it should be looked into "whether the Bundeswehr receives sufficient personnel and, if necessary, switch to conscription models".

The CDU politician also highlighted the benefits of military service for applicants.

The Bundeswehr has "a lot to offer, from driver's licences and professional qualifications to training in one's own leadership skills," he said.

Back in 2012, the government led by then-chancellor Angela Merkel ended five decades of compulsory military service in Germany, but left a clause in the constitution permitting its reintroduction in the face of threats. 

In light of the Bundeswehr's personnel shortage and growing threats from Russia, the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed in their coalition agreement on a "new, attractive military service" that could be introduced this year.

READ ALSO: What will Germany's new military service look like - and who will it include?

This would be based "initially on voluntary participation", following the Swedish model.

Though the coalition pact was finalised on April 9th, a member's vote on the agreement within the SPD is still ongoing until April 29th, with results due to be announced on April 30th.

The CDU will decide on the coalition agreement at a small party conference on April 28th.

If both parties give the pact the green light, the new government will be sworn in at a special Bundestag session on May 6th.