Military service by lottery? This is how the selection system might work in the German army (Bundeswehr)
The German parliament, the Bundestag, will hold an extensive discussion on Thursday regarding a comprehensive reform of military service. The project, led by the Ministry of Defense of the SPD party, aims to reorganize the way young people are recruited into the German army (Bundeswehr). Starting in 2026, everyone who turns 18 will receive a letter from the ministry containing a questionnaire to assess their readiness for military service. This reform aims to enhance Germany's defense capabilities amid increasing international tensions and security concerns.
According to the draft law, all males will be required to fill out this mandatory questionnaire, while females can do so voluntarily. The answers will be used to determine individuals' suitability for service. Those who prove their fitness will later be invited for a medical examination and a personal interview. The government confirms that the service will initially remain voluntary, but a lottery system may be resorted to if there are not enough volunteers.
According to the plan, about 350,000 young people will be asked to fill out the questionnaire each year, while the army aims to recruit around 5,000 additional soldiers annually. The long-term goal is to increase the number of active soldiers from 180,000 to 260,000. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that this reform is necessary "given the international security situation, especially the aggressive behavior of Russia."
However, political divisions remain sharp. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) believes that the project does not go far enough and calls for the immediate reinstatement of mandatory military service. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Bavaria's leader Markus Söder have urged the government to take stricter measures, considering the current project merely a 'first step' towards rebuilding Germany's defense capabilities.
The proposed compromise is inspired by the Danish model, where there is a mandatory public service, but only one-fifth of the youth are actually called up. This system aims to combine flexibility and fairness; a large database of candidates is created, but only a small percentage of them are randomly selected for service. If there are not enough volunteers, those selected may be required to serve in the military for no less than six months. Although the discussion is still ongoing, this trend reflects Germany's increasing willingness to revive a form of national service in response to global security challenges.