Overview

• After the Union moved to block next week’s planned first reading, coalition leaders agreed to postpone the Bundestag debate by one week.
• Defence Minister Boris Pistorius urged proceeding via amendments and expert hearings, warning the delay risks slowing the new Wehrdienst and youth registration.
• The draft foresees reintroducing Wehrerfassung, recruiting on a voluntary basis for now, and growing the force toward about 260,000 active troops and a large reserve without an automatic draft trigger.
• CDU/CSU demands a concrete growth path for recruitment and clear rules for activating conscription, citing recent Russian drone and airspace incidents to argue for tougher measures.
• Parallel planning for accommodations and bases continues, with the Bundeswehr reviewing infrastructure needs and Vonovia expressing interest in building housing for additional soldiers.