German Parliament Approves Military Service Reform Bill

Germany's parliament approved a new military service system that brings back mandatory military screening for young people. The Bundestag voted 323 to 272 in favor of the government's plan, which requires young Germans to register for military service and undergo compulsory screening.

The new law creates what officials call "mandatory military service when needed." If Germany's armed forces can't meet their recruitment targets through voluntary enlistment, parliament can activate full mandatory service.

This marks a significant shift for Germany, which suspended compulsory military service in 2011. The decision comes as European nations reassess their defense capabilities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Germany has struggled to maintain adequate troop levels through voluntary recruitment alone.

The legislation passed after heated debates within the ruling coalition between the conservative Christian Union and the Social Democratic Party. One lawmaker abstained from voting.

Here's how the system works: All young Germans will now be required to register and undergo military screening. The government can then decide whether to call up recruits based on military needs. This gives Germany flexibility to scale up its forces quickly if security threats increase.

For defense contractors and military suppliers, this signals potential growth in Germany's defense sector. The country has already committed to spending 2% of its GDP on defense, and a larger military would require more equipment, training facilities, and support services.

The move reflects broader changes across Europe, where countries like Sweden and Lithuania have already reinstated military conscription. Germany's approach is more conditional than these countries, but it shows how quickly European defense policies are evolving in response to regional security concerns.