Germany has approved a bill to reintroduce a military service voluntary that could become mandatory If circumstances require it, mainly motivated by the growing Russian threat.
The goal is Increase the number of active soldiers from current 180,000 to 260,000 and duplicate the reservists up to 200,000. The plan contemplates a recruitment process that will start with 15,000 new volunteers in 2026who will receive remuneration close to 2,000 euros net to meSY will have total medical insurance coverage.
Although the service will be initially voluntary, The law includes the possibility of making it mandatory with the approval of the German Parliament (Bundestag) if the recruitment objectives are not met or if the security situation is aggravated.
Since 2028, all young people between 18 and 25 must answer a mandatory questionnaire about their willingness to serveand a military record will be implemented to know exactly the number of possible recruits.
The Minister of Defense, Boris Pistoriusstressed that not only A better equipped army is sought, but one with greater numerical capacity. In addition, incentives will be offered such as professional training courses and the option to prolong the service. These measures are expected to help reinforce national defense and comply with NATO’s demands.
Will Spain return to establish mandatory military service?
As stated by the Europepress agency, Spain rules out the possibility of reintroducing military serviceas Germany has done, which this Wednesday has taken the first step to establish a voluntary military service against the threat that Russia raises over Europe.
Sources from the Ministry of Defense clarify that there are no plans in this sense for Spain. Defense Minister Margarita Robles has already rejected the return of the “mili” publicly on other occasionsgiven the increase in countries that have reintroduced military service or are raised after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, such as Letonio or Lithuania.
When did he stop being mandatory “La Mili” in Spain?
The mili was an obligation to Young men in Spain who for months had to comply with the service in different military units. During its history, the mili served to train many young people in basic skills and military skills, although it was also seen by some as an interruption of personal studies and projects.
Popularly known as “La Mili”, It ceased to be officially mandatory on December 31, 2001. Although the formal suppression of the service It was a suspension and not a definitive abolitionFrom that date all the Spanish Armed Forces became professionals.
The final announcement was made on March 9, 2001, when The then defense minister Federico Trillo confirmed the suspension after more than two centuries of mandatory military service history in Spain. The decision was part of a process of professionalization of the Armed Forces and was advanced with respect to the initially planned date, which was December 31, 2002.
However, what would happen in case of war?
Despite this, the State could still force you to go in case of war. This occurs, since in the Article 30 of the Spanish Constitution in which it is clarified that “Spaniards have the right and duty to defend Spain“In addition, it establishes that” by law the duties of citizens may regulate in cases of serious risk, catastrophe or public calamity. “
Now, first of all you have to remember that The first to go to war are the military themselves. After these, it is the turn of The volunteers who wantpretend and be trained to go to this appeal. To these They are known as reservistsand there are three types: those of special availability, volunteers and mandatory.
If the reservists of special availability and the volunteers were scarce and continue to miss personnel, The State could call any citizen ranks (mandatory reservists). For this, the government would have to ask for authorization from Congress.