Germany to Conduct Conscription Physicals for All 18-Year-Old Men
Conscription if Volunteer Numbers Fall Short
Incentives Include 2,600 Euros Monthly Salary and Driver's License Support
German political parties have reached an agreement on a military service reform plan that maintains voluntary enlistment but introduces conscription if there is a shortage of new recruits.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) alliance, along with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced on November 13 (local time) that starting in 2027, all men turning 18 each year-about 300,000 individuals-will undergo physical examinations based on the premise of conscription.
Beginning next year, questionnaires will be sent to all 18-year-old men and women to ask about their willingness to serve in the military. For men, responding is mandatory.
The two parties agreed that after recruiting volunteers for enlistment, if the number of soldiers falls short of the target, they will switch to a conscription system through legislative amendments in parliament. In such cases, the required number of recruits will be selected by random lottery.
The minimum period of military service is six months, with the possibility of extension. Soldiers receive a monthly salary of approximately 2,600 euros (about 4.42 million won), and those who serve for more than one year are eligible for additional benefits, such as support for obtaining a driver's license.
Germany abolished conscription in 2011. However, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the country has been discussing the reinstatement of conscription for the fourth consecutive year as it pursues rearmament in response to the threat of Russian invasion.
The coalition government plans to amend the Military Service Act within this year.
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