Germany wants to know who is ready to fight – DW – November 6, 2024

by Junna Base November 6, 2024

The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz approved a bill on Wednesday that would require young men to take part in a survey about their willingness to serve in the Bundeswehr.

Young women have the opportunity to take part in the survey if they wish.

Around 300,000 boys will turn 18 in Germany next year and would have to tell the government whether they are interested in military service or not.

The Bundeswehr hopes to have 20,000 additional soldiers by 2030

Before 2011, 18-year-old men had to complete either military service or social service. Since this law was abolished, the Bundeswehr has been struggling to increase its troop strength.

The new survey would be conducted in the hope that more young people could be persuaded to join without having to reintroduce conscription.

The Bundeswehr has around 180,000 soldiers. Facing a more aggressive Russia, Germany hopes to increase that number to 203,000 by 2030, with an additional 60,000 reservists.