The German government has decided against a new system of compulsory military service after a bitter debate, opting for a voluntary model instead.
Under the plan intended to revamp the country’s depleted military, young German men will have to indicate their readiness to serve and undergo a medical from next year. There will be financial and other incentives to encourage voluntary recruitment, but if that fails to find the numbers a compulsory nationwide call-up will be reconsidered. This would take further legislation, however.
