The Chancellor regrets the abolition of conscription in Germany.

The new defense minister also speaks of a mistake.

Chancellor Scholz pointed out in the Bundestag that the mistakes made by the defense ministers of the CDU/CSU over the past few decades must now be rectified - "this includes not only halving the Bundeswehr and the abolition of conscription;

but also includes the largest austerity program for the Bundeswehr that has ever taken place.

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Boris Pistorius said it was a mistake to suspend conscription;

not at all because of the current situation, but because there has always been a connection to civil society.

The FDP chairman, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner,

Reinhard Muller

Responsible editor for "current affairs" and FAZ objection, responsible for "state and law".

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But the debate about compulsory military service already existed before the Ukraine war - fueled by the Federal President and also by the CDU, which decided on a mandatory year of service.

In Germany, around 12 percent of every age group is currently doing voluntary service in the civilian or military sectors.

A new study by the Hertie Foundation indicates that there are more than in almost any other European country.

But why aren't there more?

The study identifies several deficits: There is a lack of knowledge about the existing options.

The space available is less than the high demand.

In addition, low remuneration and inflexible offers almost systematically exclude some groups of people.

Recognition and appreciation would also have to be strengthened if community service were to become a “natural part of a CV”.

Extremely high sampling rate in Sweden

A look at neighboring European countries shows that there is not only military service and alternative service, as in Germany in the past: France launched the Service National Universel in 2019, a new short-term service that aims to get to know other living environments and starts at school.

The reintroduction of conscription in Sweden for both men and women shows "how conscription models can be designed in such a way that they are widely supported by society and only recruit those who are actually needed in the system to active service".

Target group-oriented information for all young people leads to a high level of interest in military careers.

As a result, the Swedish army is continuously equipped with well-qualified young people.

On the occasion of their 18th birthday, all citizens are written to and informed about military service via multimedia.

The participation rate is an amazing 96 percent.

Almost 20 percent of the digital respondents are sampled each year.

Of those who are screened, only about four percent of an age cohort are drafted.

The service then lasts between six and 15 months, depending on usage.

The training takes place together with temporary and professional soldiers, and the payment is basically the same.

Apparently, this system meets with approval in society and across party lines.

And also amazing: Even before the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, but even more so now, a record number of Swedes volunteered.

Frank-Jürgen Weise, CEO of the Hertie Foundation and former CEO of the Federal Employment Agency and head of the Federal Office for Migration, cites Sweden as a role model when it comes to military service.

With a view to Germany, however, he is in favor of voluntary service for men and women "in all areas of society and of course also in the Bundeswehr".

This service should last at least a year, but should also be handled very flexibly in the various areas.

Many women work as volunteers

The investigation, which also takes a look at Switzerland and its militia army, also deals with the background to the commitment in this country.

In the civilian voluntary services, the young people have an above-average number of higher education.

Depending on the service format, between 52 percent (voluntary social year) and 90 percent (international services) have at least a (technical) high school diploma.

In addition, the volunteers are more often female (a good 60 percent).

It's different in the Bundeswehr: more than 80 percent are men;

the volunteers in the force are also "closer to the social average in terms of their educational background";

17 percent have a secondary school leaving certificate and 45 percent have at least a (technical) high school diploma.

Finally, it is pointed out that the current remuneration of civil voluntary services systematically excludes those who are supported by the family.

Volunteers doing military service, on the other hand, can earn 80 percent of a temporary soldier's basic salary over the course of a year.

So is there a duty?

It is noticeable that the organizations of such services are mostly against it.

The high effort is mentioned and the concern about a lack of motivation.

However, there seems to be general agreement that society needs more togetherness and that the individual contribution to a successful democracy should be reflected in more than just voting and taxes.