Sourced : DW
Germany’s interior ministry is considering taking steps toward bringing back conscription, including compulsory service to support the military, which was suspended five years ago. This is according to a report by German news agency DPA, which had access to a confidential copy of a government draft proposal.
The proposal, which is set to be voted on in Berlin on Wednesday, comes as the government seeks to push forward a new concept for civilian defense, titled “Support of the Armed Forces.”
Germany has been mulling new security strategies in light of recent terror attacks, as well as tensions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The new proposals are meant in part to prepare the country for the possibility of NATO actions to defend its borders.
All bases covered
The draft proposal also takes into account the infrastructure and accomodations that will be required if compulsory service were to be reintroduced, including the building of lodgings such as barracks.
Military conscription was abolished in 2011 after 55 years, because the government said there was no longer a need for it. However, compulsory military service is still a part of Germany’s Basic Law, or constitution. Therefore, it can be easily reintroduced by the government.
Following a series of attacks in Germany in late July, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said the country should also consider deploying the army, or Bundeswehr, within Germany.