Junge Union proposes the introduction of a conscription quota

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Mountain troops at the swearing-in ceremony: “We must not leave the ability to defend our democracy to the principle of hope.”

Photo: Matthias Schrader / AP

The debate about the reintroduction of compulsory military service has been ongoing in German politics since it was suspended in 2011. Especially since the Russian attack on Ukraine two years ago, there has been more intensive discussion about the Bundeswehr's defensive capabilities in this country. The Junge Union now wants to reignite the debate by introducing a so-called quota conscription.

According to a decision by the youth organization, the Bundeswehr should determine its required contingent every year. Then there should be a mandatory muster for all men and women in a year. “Those who are best suited will then be drafted,” says a corresponding Instagram post from the CDU youth organization. “We must not leave the ability to defend our democracy to the principle of hope,” JU federal chairman Johannes Winkel is quoted as saying. The JU also has a deadline in mind: it could start as early as January 1, 2025.

»No more time to waste«

Winkel told the news site “t-online” that the suspension of compulsory military service “unfortunately turned out to be an illusion.” "In view of the war industry in Russia and the elections in the USA, we have no time to lose."

He understands that this is an intervention in the lifestyle of the young generation. "I am firmly convinced that the much more serious intervention would be to live permanently in a country that simply cannot defend itself in an emergency." Especially since all models that relied on voluntary action "obviously failed" given the Bundeswehr's personnel shortage. be.

The CDU has so far called for the model of a compulsory social year in order to make up for the shortage of soldiers. The idea no longer goes far enough for the Junge Union. The introduction of a social year would take too long given the warmongering Russia, said JU boss Winkel. Conscription, however, could be implemented more quickly.

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