After a heated dispute in the SPD parliamentary group, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, deputy group leader Siemtje Möller, and MP Falko Droßmann have struck a conciliatory tone in a joint letter. They emphasize the priority of voluntariness in the new conscription and express openness to a compromise with the Union. The aim is for the conscription law to take effect on January 1, 2025.
The dispute over the new conscription escalated in recent days, particularly in an SPD parliamentary group meeting earlier this week. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius advocated for mustering all young men to strengthen the Bundeswehr. Union and SPD experts, including Siemtje Möller, proposed a lottery system instead to randomly select suitable candidates if too few volunteers come forward.
In a letter to the SPD group, available to the German Press Agency, Pistorius, Möller, and Droßmann clarify the situation: «The principle of voluntariness comes first and remains guiding for our further actions». If not enough volunteers apply, «we must create clear legal regulations for any obligations». They stress that the German Bundestag will decide on this. The three are convinced they can develop a modern conscription together with the Union.
During the first reading in the Bundestag on Thursday, MPs from both governing factions showed willingness to compromise. CSU politician Alexander Dobrindt emphasized in the ZDF program «Maybrit Illner» that all involved have an interest in a compromise: «That some time will pass and a few hurdles will come, I see that too».
Criticism comes from outside. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer called the procedure unsuitable in the «Spiegel»: «This is all not going like this». The president of the reservists' association, Patrick Sensburg, rejects the lottery: «It sounds like drawing the short straw». He advocates a succession procedure based on quality criteria and views the conscription modernization law as an important step for security. Schüler Union leader Manuel Stroh demands more predictability: «Young people want to plan their future reliably».