Military Service Law: Unity and SPD reach agreement in coalition dispute over military conscription

Party representatives from the Union and the SPD have reached an agreement with Boris Pistorius regarding military service. The details are not yet known.

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The possibility of a lottery system for military service has recently become highly controversial.
© Tobias Schwarz/​AFP/​Getty Images

Politicians from the Union and SPD has reached a basic agreement after weeks of wrangling over the new military service law. Several media reported this unanimously. Parliamentary and community groups will be briefed on the model on Thursday morning.

The Union and SPD factions actually reached an agreement in the debate on the military service law in October. At that time, they set important points if the number of volunteers was insufficient for the plan to increase the number of Bundeswehr personnel. It also includes lottery procedures suggested by the Union faction.

However, Pistorius rejected the agreement and received support from his group. Instead of random procedures, the minister called for comprehensive screening of all men, where decisions should be made based on qualifications and motivation. So far, the plan is that the new military service law will come into effect in early 2026.

Due to the threat from Russia and resulting changes in NATO planning, the Bundeswehr is expected to increase by approximately 80,000 to 260,000 men and women in the standing army. There will also be 200,000 reserve troops, the number of which will be increased mainly by the new military services.