Germany, which abolished compulsory military service in 2011, is considering a return to conscription. The Minister of Defense, the social democrat Boris Pistorius, presented the broad outlines of his project this week. But what do young people say about it? RFI went to meet them.
While Olaf Scholz had made defense one of his priorities after the invasion ofUkraine by the Russiathe German army has a serious recruitment problem. The Bundeswehr currently has 180,000 men; 200,000 are needed to ensure the defence of theGermanyas well as 260,000 reservists, according to Berlin. Faced with the lack of motivation among young people, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is considering a light conscription, inspired by the Swedish model. The question is, what value do we place on the fact that we can live free and safe in this country? asks Boris Pistorius. Who should take care of the security of this state, this country and therefore the people who live there? Everyone must ask themselves what they are prepared to do if we were attacked. »
According to the minister’s plan, every young person could soon receive a questionnaire from the Bundeswehr when they turn 18. Health, motivation… Boys would be obliged to answer it under penalty of a fine, while for girls, the answer would be optional. According to Berlin’s plans, 40,000 young people out of the 700,000 contacted each year would then be called for an interview and 10,000 sent to the barracks, with various incentives such as the possibility of passing their driving test for free or a helping hand to get a place at university. On the street, the young people encountered are rather reluctant…
” I don’t think it’s a good idea in my opinion, every young person should get trained rather than going to the army “, says this young Berliner, for example. I don’t find this goodsays another young man. At the limit, if it is on a voluntary basis. In any case, not to find yourself at 18 years old on a war field! This should not be possible before a certain age, around 25 years old. »
” If it is necessary, we cannot completely avoid it. “, he considers. ” I would be very scared if I had to commitshe admits. I don’t know if girls will be affected, but in any case, I think they should be able to escape it. » « I wouldn’t mind basic military training, it’s pretty good and helps you learn discipline. ” believes this young man, encountered in the streets of Berlin.
According to the Bundeswehr, the project does not go far enough. Every year, many soldiers reach the age of 65 and there is an urgent need for replacements.warns Patrick Sensburg, president of the German army reservists. The conscription model presented could perhaps have a positive effect in the short term, but it will never be enough to create a sufficient reserve. For that, we would probably need compulsory military service. »
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