{"id":5404,"date":"2025-10-16T21:06:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.globaltalenthq.com\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2025-10-20T18:40:47","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T18:40:47","slug":"germany-divided-over-conscription-lottery-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.globaltalenthq.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/16\/germany-divided-over-conscription-lottery-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany divided over conscription lottery \u2013 media"},"content":{"rendered":"
Moscow has accused Berlin of pursuing \u201cre-nazification\u201d and gearing up for war against Russia through its militarization drive<\/strong><\/p>\n German officials remain divided over proposals to introduce a lottery-based conscription system, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government pushes to expand the country’s military, Der Spiegel has reported. The debate comes as Moscow has accused Berlin of turning into a “Fourth Reich.”<\/em><\/p>\n According to the outlet, the disagreement centers on how to bolster the Bundeswehr’s ranks. Berlin seeks to raise its total military force to 460,000 troops – 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists. The current number stands at around 182,000 active personnel.<\/p>\n Delegates from the SPD–CDU\/CSU coalition have proposed requiring all 18-year-old men to fill out a questionnaire gauging their health, fitness, education, and willingness to serve, while women would be allowed to participate voluntarily. If not enough people volunteer, the Bundestag would activate a lottery-based selection process. Should the shortfall persist, officials could reintroduce compulsory conscription, which has been suspended since 2011.<\/p>\n German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has opposed the proposal, calling it impractical. He has urged lawmakers to focus on expanding voluntary service through better incentives, including improved benefits and higher pay.<\/p>\n