Overview
- RND reported Thursday that about 72% of contacted 18-year-old men returned the online questionnaire while 28% did not, even though men born in 2008 or later must reply by law.
- About half of those who answered said they were open to at least six months of voluntary service, yet many may only proceed if a posting is close to home.
- The Defence Ministry says non-responders will first receive a reminder and, after continued refusal, could face an administrative fine of up to roughly €1,000.
- Since mid-January, about 194,000 letters with login data have been sent, and positive replies can lead to consultations, medical mustering, and assessments for specific roles.
- The law targets 255,000 to 270,000 active troops and a 200,000-strong reserve by 2035, and talk of a needs-based draft persists as Linke leader Sören Pellmann and student groups push back against penalties.