Germany wants power to require reserve duty
The Bundestag is discussing a bill allowing reservists to be called up under certain conditions in peacetime.
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Germany’s Bundestag will discuss a bill for the first time on Thursday that would make reserve duty compulsory under certain conditions. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius wants to increase the number of deployable reservists to 200,000 before 2033.
The proposal would end the current ‘dual voluntariness’. At present, both reservists and their employers can object to a call-up for an exercise. Under the new system, employers could do so only in certain cases, while reservists would be able to refuse less often.
According to Tagesschau, more than 60,000 reservists are currently assigned on a fixed basis to the Bundeswehr. The government wants that number to grow to 200,000 by 2033. This would give the reserve a greater role in protecting, for example, critical infrastructure and in military deployments.
Under the bill, how long someone can be called up would depend on the active service they previously completed. Those who served in the Bundeswehr for no more than a year could be called up for up to three weeks per year. Different limits would apply to other groups.
German industry and employers’ organisations support the aim of strengthening the reserve, but warn of uncertainty for companies. Rainer Kambeck of the German Industrie- und Handelskammer argued, according to Tagesschau, that a voluntary model should be used initially, so employers could adapt.
A more fundamental criticism is being voiced within the opposition. Donata Vogtschmidt of Die Linke calls the plan conscription through the back door. In her view, Germany should first improve the conditions for voluntary participation and respect reservists’ self-determination.
The proposal is not yet law. After its first reading, it will proceed to parliamentary consideration, where exceptions and compensation for employers could still change. The German government wants to pass the law this year, but the Bundestag still has to vote on the final text.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Bundestag is considering a bill on compulsory reserve duty.
- The proposal limits reservists’ and employers’ ability to refuse a call-up.
- The government is aiming for 200,000 reservists in 2033.
- The law has not yet been passed.
Left
Arguments In peacetime, participation in military exercises should remain voluntary. The state should first offer better employment conditions and greater support for volunteers.
Values Individual autonomy, civil rights and worker protection.
Consequences A voluntary model prevents forced service, but could lead to personnel shortages in German defence.
Centre
Arguments A larger reserve is defensible given the security situation, but obligations must remain limited, predictable and subject to oversight.
Values Collective security, the rule of law and practicability.
Consequences A carefully designed system could improve readiness without unnecessarily disrupting the labour market.
Right
Arguments Germany must strengthen its defence quickly. Those who previously chose to serve in the Bundeswehr also have, in this view, a responsibility to remain deployable in peacetime.
Values National security, a sense of duty and deterrence.
Consequences A compulsory system could increase military capability, but would bring costs and tensions with employers and employees.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The reporting concerns a current first reading of a bill, not obligations that have already been introduced. The figures and criticism described can be traced to Tagesschau and official German information.
- confirmed The Bundestag is discussing the Reservestärkungsgesetz on 15 October. — Reported by Tagesschau on 15 October 2026. source
- confirmed Germany wants to increase the number of reservists to 200,000 by 2033. — Mentioned in current Tagesschau reporting. source
- confirmed The current system is based on dual voluntariness. — Described by Tagesschau and the German government. source
- confirmed The first reading does not make the law final. — The reporting states that the proposal will undergo further parliamentary consideration after the first reading. source
- confirmed The employers’ organisation has criticised compulsory call-ups. — Rainer Kambeck is quoted on this by Tagesschau. source
Editor's note
The first reading and the proposal’s main points have been confirmed. The text is not yet final; exact exceptions, compensation and implementation rules may change.Sources
- Beratungen im Bundestag: Reservedienst soll verpflichtend werden — Tagesschau
- Gesetz zur Stärkung der Reserve — Deutscher Bundestag
- Kabinett beschließt Reservestärkungsgesetz — Bundesregierung
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „duitsland bundeswehr”
- NOS — „duitsland bundeswehr”
- Het Parool — „duitsland bundeswehr”