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Poll Backs Mandatory Musterung as Germans Doubt Volunteer Army Will Meet Targets

The coalition plan keeps service voluntary at first with a conditional conscription trigger that would require a Bundestag vote.

Overview

  • An Insa survey of 1,003 people conducted Nov. 13–14 found 58% support a nationwide compulsory medical examination for young men, with 29% opposed.
  • Most respondents doubt the voluntary model will deliver enough recruits, with 57% saying the Bundeswehr’s personnel goals will not be met and 25% expecting success.
  • Only 31% say they would personally volunteer for service, while 55% would not.
  • The agreed service model mandates a Musterung for the 2008 birth cohort onward and sets explicit growth targets for the armed forces.
  • If targets are missed under voluntary recruitment, a need-based conscription mechanism (Bedarfswehrpflicht) could be activated following a separate vote in the Bundestag.