CDU leader Friedrich Merz has shown himself in favor of a debate about soldiers without a German passport and the introduction of compulsory military service based on the Swedish model. There has already been a discussion about EU citizens serving in the Bundeswehr. “I’m open to that,” said the Union faction leader of the “Rheinische Post” (Wednesday).

With a view to the shortage of personnel in the troops, Merz said that more soldiers were needed. “That's why the debate about introducing the Swedish model is right.” All young men and women are screened there – “in order to then make them an offer for employment,” Merz told the newspaper. “That would be a first step that could lead to general service or a mandatory year of service.”

Pistorius has models tested

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is currently having models of compulsory service examined. This also includes the model practiced in Sweden. Pistorius said in December that he was examining all options. The Defense Minister and politicians from the Union and FDP had recently shown themselves open to opening military careers to applicants without a German passport.

According to the Soldiers Act, there is fundamentally “the requirement of German citizenship,” the spokeswoman explained the current legal situation. However, the Ministry of Defense can allow exceptions in individual cases if there is an official need for this (Section 37, Paragraph 2 SG).