Drafting women for military service considered?

In a shifting geopolitical landscape, the debate about who should defend the interests of aging elites has intensified. One such question is whether the German Armed Forces need more women, as suggested by the Federal Parliament's Defense Commissioner, Henning Otte.

The idea of conscription for women has been a topic of discussion, with Friedrich Merz (CDU) expressing openness to the possibility. He acknowledges that such a move would require societal and political discourse, possibly leading to constitutional amendments, as the current Basic Law only allows conscription for men.

The Swedish model, which includes both genders in conscription, could potentially serve as a compromise. However, no one seems genuinely enthusiastic about introducing conscription for both genders. Some, like Toni, a 48-year-old man, support the idea due to "exaggerated feminism," but not for his daughters. On the other hand, Olaf and Dirk, both in their fifties, advocate for gender equality in conscription, but their reasons remain unclear.

Feminist Alice Schwarzer finds it unfair that a men's conscription is planned but not a women's, and she advocates for "Equal rights, equal duties!" Some women, such as Manuela from Schorfheide and her 30-year-old daughter, prefer to have a choice regarding conscription, taking into account women's childbearing responsibilities.

Younger generations, however, seem less inclined towards conscription. Pia and Maja, aged 19, express disinterest in military service. Maja, one of the 19-year-olds, does not see herself participating in military service.

The debate about German troops in Ukraine has further fuelled discussions about conscription. More and more young people are turning to counseling centers and submitting applications for conscientious objection in light of a possible return of conscription.

From next year, all young men and women aged 18 and above will be asked if they are fit and willing to serve in the military, but women are not obliged to do so. The SPD and Greens support the idea of conscription for women, according to Merz.

However, the question of whether to reintroduce conscription for women remains a complex issue, with many factors to consider. It is a debate that is likely to continue, shaping the future of military service in Germany.