Söder calls for return of compulsory military service as Bundeswehr faces pressure

In brief

• CSU leader Markus Söder has called for a genuine return to compulsory military service in Germany.
• He argues that spending on equipment and procurement alone will not secure the country.
• Defence Minister Boris Pistorius believes voluntary service will probably still suffice.
• The Bundeswehr had more than 190,000 soldiers in October 2026, its highest strength since 2013.

Söder breaks with the defence minister

Markus Söder, chairman of the Christian Social Union, has called for a "real" compulsory military service to be reintroduced in Germany. He set out the demand on the platform X, arguing that large spending on equipment and infrastructure, together with faster procurement, is not enough on its own. In his view, Germany is under threat as never before in recent years (Bundeswehr - Söder: "Brauchen wieder echte Wehrpflicht" – Deutschlandfunk) (Wehrpflichtdebatte: Söder fordert Rückkehr zur Wehrplicht – ZEIT ONLINE).

The call puts him at odds with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius of the SPD. In an "Interview der Woche" on Deutschlandfunk, Pistorius said he believed the principle of voluntary service would probably still be sufficient. He noted that in October the Bundeswehr had more than 190,000 soldiers, its highest personnel strength since 2013. He did not rule out a change of course should the security situation develop further.

Recruitment figures

• October 2026: more than 190,000 soldiers in the Bundeswehr, the highest strength since 2013

Debate on conscription

The question of conscription has returned to the German political agenda as the country reassesses its defence capacity. Söder's intervention comes from the coalition partner's opposition side on this point, and it signals a split within the government over how to staff the armed forces (Stärkung der Bundeswehr: Söder fordert: brauchen wieder echte Wehrpflicht – ZEIT ONLINE).

For now, voluntary service remains the rule. Any move back to compulsory service would require a change in the law and a political majority in the Bundestag, and neither has been put forward yet.

Read also

• Pistorius sees no need for conscription now: Bundeswehr expects to meet staffing needs voluntarily