Germany’s government approved a draft law on 27 August that would introduce a new system of voluntary military service, ending a 14-year hiatus in conscription policy. The legislation is intended to shore up manpower in the Bundeswehr, which has struggled to meet NATO readiness goals since compulsory service was suspended in 2011. Under the proposal, all men turning 18 would be required to complete an online questionnaire about their willingness and fitness to serve; the survey is optional for other genders. Volunteers chosen from the pool would undergo at least six months of basic training and could extend their commitment to up to 23 months. The Defence Ministry plans to offer net monthly pay of about €2,300, free accommodation and medical care to make the scheme more attractive. Berlin aims to raise the number of active soldiers to 260,000 by the early 2030s from roughly 183,000 today, and to double the reserve force to 200,000. Annual intake targets are set at 20,000 recruits in 2026, rising to 38,000 by 2030. If those benchmarks are missed or the security environment deteriorates, the bill allows the government—subject to Bundestag approval—to reinstate mandatory conscription. Conservative lawmakers want an automatic trigger that would re-impose the draft without a separate vote, setting the stage for a parliamentary battle when debates begin in October. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Russia’s “aggressive posture” makes a larger force essential for credible deterrence. The measure now moves to the Bundestag, where the governing CDU/CSU-SPD coalition holds a majority but faces pressure from both hawks seeking a firmer draft mechanism and critics wary of compulsory service’s return.