Social year, compulsory social service, general compulsory service - this year, too, it is enough for politicians to just say one of these words to join a much more powerful-voiced chorus of frowning doubters (often from welfare organizations) and gruff naysayers ("No Reich Labor Service ! Against the Basic Law!").
It's also true: the constitutional hurdles are high for everything that goes beyond voluntary social commitment.
The administrative effort, including the associated costs for the federal and state governments, should also hardly be underestimated.
Finally get down to business
From this point of view, the CDU should end its internal debate about the mandatory character of the social year it is planning sooner rather than later.
It could all the more easily get down to business and design a concept for voluntary services that are so attractive that young people can only turn down these offers at the price of considerable immaterial and possibly even material disadvantages.
The Union would not necessarily have to worry about whether there would be a majority in the Bundestag for such a concept.
It is a government responsibility in enough countries.
There she could have long since shown what a service to society is worth to her.