Germany to Reinstate Conscription Screening for Men 18 and Over in 2025
Germany will reinstate conscription medical examinations for men aged 18 and older, effective January 1, 2025. Germany previously operated a conscription system, but suspended it in 2011. This resumption of conscription screenings is linked to the changing security environment in Europe. Growing security concerns stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war have fueled discussions within Germany about reintroducing conscription. The German Ministry of Defense will prioritize voluntary enlistment to fill troop requirements. However, if voluntary enlistment proves insufficient, conscription will be implemented via random selection.
Germany's goal is to expand its troop strength from the current level of 182,000 to 260,000 by 2035. An official from the German Ministry of Defense stated, "We have decided to expand the size of our armed forces and resume conscription screenings in order to effectively respond to the changing security environment." The German government added that it will ensure that conscription candidates receive ample information in advance and that the conscription process is transparent and fair. Concerns about the reintroduction of conscription have also been raised, with some pointing out that it could restrict individual freedoms and create social inequality.
However, the German government emphasizes that "the reintroduction of conscription is an unavoidable choice, given the gravity of the security situation," and that it will "do its best to minimize the potential negative social consequences of conscription." Germany's resumption of conscription screenings could potentially influence the defense policies of other European nations. It is interpreted as a declaration of Germany's intention to secure military resources through this resumption of conscription screenings and to play a leading role in European security. The German Ministry of Defense plans to establish detailed implementation plans for the conscription screenings and to revise relevant laws and regulations accordingly.
