Vice-Mayor Fegebank advocates for mandatory military service, extending it to include females.
In the wake of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Germany is contemplating the reintroduction of a selective form of conscription, coupled with voluntary military service. This move, announced by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in mid-2025, involves conscripting approximately 5,000 18-year-olds annually for basic training if voluntary recruitment falls short.
While men are required to complete a questionnaire upon turning 18 assessing their suitability for service, women's participation remains voluntary, with conscription for women not yet mandatory. The basic service period would be at least six months, extendable up to 23 months at the individual's choice.
Hamburg's Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank, has voiced her support for this potential shift. In an interview with the "Bild" newspaper, she proposed that conscription should be applicable to both men and women, emphasizing her belief in equality. Fegebank also suggested that a civilian alternative service could make an important contribution to social cohesion and strengthening democracy.
Fegebank's stance is based on her observation of the significant contributions women currently make to the Bundeswehr, as well as the demonstrated ability of women to perform effectively in the military. She believes that the threat level in the current world situation is different from 15 years ago, and the Bundeswehr may soon have to defend liberal democracy in Europe.
Public opinion shows increasing support for returning to universal conscription, including for both men and women. A July 2025 poll revealed that about 55% are in favor of compulsory military and civilian service for all genders. However, the government is currently pursuing a hybrid model that prioritizes volunteers and only resorts to conscription if necessary.
A formal legal framework, including the possibility of reactivating conscription, is being prepared. Decisions are expected before the summer recess in 2025, with further government discussion planned for late August 2025. As the debate continues, Katharina Fegebank's voice stands as a call for gender equality in the potential reintroduction of conscription in Germany.
[1] Bundeswehr [2] BBC News [3] Deutsche Welle [4] The Guardian [5] Spiegel Online
- Discussions around the reintroduction of conscription in Germany, as a response to the war in Ukraine, have highlighted the potential for gender equality within the Bundeswehr, with Hamburg's Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank, advocating for the applicability of conscription to both men and women.
- Amid increasing public support for returning to universal conscription, including for both genders, the issue of women's health and wellness in relation to military service has emerged as a crucial aspect of the debate, with the demonstrable capabilities of women in the military potentially influencing the decision.
- In the wake of global political changes, publications such as the BBC News, Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, and Spiegel Online have been following the developments in Germany, focusing on the impact of the reintroduction of conscription on areas like health and wellness, women's health, and general news, including the ongoing war-and-conflicts and the shifting landscape of politics.
