Politics · Germany · 14 hrs ago
Pistorius backs voluntary service as Söder calls for conscription
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius says voluntary recruitment can meet the military’s needs for now.
The Bundeswehr has about 190,000 service members, its highest total in 13 years, he said.
Bavarian leader Markus Söder is calling for conscription to return, arguing that Germany faces serious threats and needs stronger forces.
Members of the governing Christian Democrats also say it is too early to rule out compulsory service if voluntary recruitment falls short.
The new service law relies on volunteers, and the government has agreed targets for growing the armed forces.
The Defence Ministry must report every six months on progress, and Parliament can consider compulsory service if the targets are not met.
Pistorius says recruitment could weaken in the next few years, in which case the government would need to respond.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius says Germany can meet the Bundeswehr’s personnel needs through voluntary service for now.
He says the force has about 190,000 soldiers, its highest number in 13 years.
Bavarian leader Markus Söder says Germany needs to restore conscription, while politicians from the CDU also warn that voluntary recruitment may not be enough.
Under an agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD, the Defence Ministry must report every six months on whether recruitment targets are being met.
If the targets are not met, the Bundestag can decide on a needs-based form of conscription.
- Who
- Defence Minister Boris Pistorius supports relying on voluntary service for now; Markus Söder and other CDU politicians call for conscription if needed.
- What
- Germany is debating whether to restore conscription as it seeks to increase the Bundeswehr’s personnel.
- When
- The statements were reported on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The debate concerns whether voluntary recruitment can provide enough personnel for the Bundeswehr’s needs.
Pistorius
Söder and CDU critics
Recruitment
Pistorius
Pistorius says current measures are working and the force has about 190,000 soldiers, its highest number in 13 years.
Söder and CDU critics
Söder says investment and faster procurement are not enough, and CDU critics say voluntary recruitment may not meet the Bundeswehr’s needs.
Conscription
Pistorius
Pistorius says conscription is not necessary if the current recruitment trend continues.
Söder and CDU critics
Söder says Germany needs to restore conscription; CDU critics say it should return if voluntary service is insufficient.
Pistorius said the voluntary-service measures were working and that conscription would not be needed if recruitment continued at its current pace.
Söder renewed calls for conscription, saying investment in equipment and infrastructure was not enough.
CDU politicians Norbert Röttgen and Thomas Röwekamp criticised Pistorius’s optimism and said conscription might be needed if voluntary recruitment fell short.
- Bundeswehr personnel
- About 190,000 soldiers
- Personnel record
- Highest number in 13 years
- Reporting interval
- Every six months
- Decision on conscription
- The Bundestag can consider needs-based conscription if recruitment plans are not met
5 sources
Söder widerspricht Pistorius bei Wehrpflicht
Söder will "echte Wehrpflicht": Pistorius setzt auf Freiwilligkeit - Union will mehr
190.000 Soldaten! - Pistorius sieht keinen Grund für Wehrpflicht
What people are saying
Germany is threatened as it has not been for a long time. That is why we must continue to strengthen the Bundeswehr.
If our democracy is important to us, we must also stand up for it. That is why it is clear: We need a real conscription again.
If the current trend continues, we will have no problems increasing personnel. Then there also needs to be no discussion about any form of conscription.
Cautious optimism is OK; premature statements are out of place.