Current members of Saxony’s parliamentKretschmer calls for a referendum on military service
After months of debate, the Black and Red groups agreed on a model of military service that required all young men to undergo military service, but was based on voluntary participation. The Prime Minister of Saxony, Kretschmer, supports conscription and proposes a referendum to legitimize it.
Saxony Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer sharply criticized the federal government’s black-and-red model of military service. “This is a missed opportunity,” the CDU’s federal deputy chairman told media group Funke’s newspaper. The question of whether only young men or women should be affected requires broad social discussion. “I think it would be more appropriate if society chose a different model and the Bundestag then took that decision.”
Kretschmer supports conscription – military or civilian – for both boys and girls. This service must last for twelve months and is performed between the ages of 18 and 25 years.
The head of the Saxon government acknowledged that there was no automatic majority for the necessary changes to the Constitution. But a referendum could create the social support this project needs.
The reserve forces association urged rapid implementation
The president of the Bundeswehr Reserve Association, Patrick Sensburg, sees the new model as a first step. Although coalition factions agreed to a voluntary model, the reintroduction of conscription was inevitable in the long term, he told Editorial Network Germany (RND). “In the long term, this will not work without conscription because we may need more than 200,000 reservists.
Sensburg emphasized: “There is nothing else politically possible at the moment. Now that the law has been passed, what is important is that it is implemented quickly. Everything requires process.”
After months of struggle, the Union and SPD coalition factions have agreed to a compromise on a new military service model. All young men must be registered through mandatory screening. Military service must remain voluntary – until further notice. This model is planned to come into effect at the turn of the year.
