CSU Leader Calls for German Conscription, Criticizes Pistorius

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has unveiled a strategy to turn the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe, with a target of 460,000 combat-ready soldiers. A central element of the plan is a new voluntary military service.

However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Markus Söder, who told Bild he wants compulsory military service to be reinstated.

“We will not achieve the necessary security for our country with volunteers alone. And security is a prerequisite for freedom”, he said, while also stressing the need to provide reservists with full equipment.

Pistorius plans to increase the number of reservists from the current 70,000 to at least 200,000 by 2035. However, the target has raised questions about its feasibility.

Security expert Patrick Sensburg criticized the Bundeswehr for failing to make full use of former professional soldiers with experience from overseas missions who could strengthen the reserve forces.

He also pointed to ambiguities in the strategy, particularly regarding how the required NATO training standards would be maintained and how responsibilities among reservists would be divided.

It also remains unclear, he said, who would oversee their activities.

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