Merz Launches Bid to Lure Recruits Into German Armed Forces

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet approved a draft law designed to significantly boost recruitment into the armed forces, part of its response to new security risks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While military service will remain voluntary, the law includes a provision that could revive compulsory conscription if numbers fall short, reversing the 2011 suspension of the draft. It would take effect in January once it gets backing from parliament.