Defense Minister Boris Pistorius Faces Union Criticism but Pushes Forward with Military Service Law
Defense Minister Pistorius defends himself amid Union criticism over a new military service law while the government plans to introduce the bill in the Bundestag this week.
- • Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized by Union for undermining legislative process on military service law.
- • Union deputy leader Norbert Röttgen condemns Pistorius' actions as torpedoing the process.
- • Pistorius advocates for voluntary service and suitability assessments for young men, denying sabotage allegations.
- • Despite coalition disputes, the government plans to introduce the bill to the Bundestag on Thursday for first reading.
- • SPD faction emphasizes Parliament as the venue to resolve open questions about the law.
Key details
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius faces intense criticism from the Union after failure to reach a compromise on a new military service law, yet he insists he is not sabotaging the legislative process. The controversy surrounds the proposed bill to assess all young men, up to 300,000 annually, for military suitability, potentially reinstating conscription in times of crisis.
Union deputy leader Norbert Röttgen harshly criticized Pistorius for undermining the legislative effort, stating, “I have never experienced in over 30 years ... a federal minister torpedoing an important legislative process in his own area of responsibility and plunging his own faction into chaos.” Röttgen, alongside SPD members and faction leaders, had negotiated a compromise involving random selection for military service, which faced resistance within the SPD.
Pistorius defended himself by emphasizing the voluntary nature of military service and warning against alterations to his draft law without consultation. "That was not my idea, that was a Union idea," he asserted regarding the random selection proposal and denied any intent to sabotage or act destructively.
Despite internal coalition disputes, the government plans to introduce the bill to the Bundestag as scheduled on Thursday. An SPD spokesperson highlighted a faction resolution supporting the bill’s introduction, emphasizing Parliament as the proper forum to resolve outstanding issues concerning the law. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann echoed this sentiment, expressing eagerness to hold the first reading this week.
This legislative push comes amid calls within the coalition for greater clarity on the military service framework amid changing security considerations. The clash illuminates tensions between the Union and SPD over how to balance voluntary service with potential conscription in Germany’s defense policy.
As the bill moves forward, the Bundestag debate will be critical for addressing contentious points and forging a consensus on future military service obligations.