Reasons for conscription<\/strong><\/p>\n The EU\u2019s renewed debate on conscription stems from multiple factors. Germany, which has one of the largest armies on the continent, faces a significant personnel shortage. Chief of Staff Carsten Breuer stated that the country needs 460,000 soldiers to maintain its defense capacity, while the current number stands at around 182,000, highlighting the urgent need for at least 100,000 additional troops. This challenge is not unique to Germany. The shortage of professional soldiers, combined with aging populations, affects all European countries. Security analyses suggest that such gaps are a decisive factor in bringing conscription back onto the agenda, as volunteer systems alone cannot meet the demands of large-scale military operations.<\/p>\n This shortage is not limited to combat soldiers; modern warfare relies heavily on critical support roles, including ammunition carriers, truck drivers, medical staff and logistical personnel. European armies are experiencing serious deficiencies in these areas as well.<\/p>\n On the other side, Russia\u2019s new security policies have compelled EU states to expand their armies. At NATO\u2019s 2023 Vilnius Summit, Russia was defined as \u201cthe most direct and greatest threat,\u201d and member states agreed to raise defense spending to at least 2% of GDP and to establish a 300,000-strong high-readiness force. The reduction of U.S. security commitments in Europe has further forced the EU to shoulder more of the burden.<\/p>\n Another factor driving the EU\u2019s conscription debate is internal security. Irregular migration along the Balkan route and across the Mediterranean has hardened border security policies. At the same time, the rise of far-right movements, radicalization and terrorism in Europe has made it necessary for armies to play active roles not only in external defense but also in internal security. This demonstrates that military capacity must be expanded not only to counter the Russian threat but also to safeguard domestic order.<\/p>\n Taken together, these factors show that the EU\u2019s conscription debate is about personnel shortages, logistical deficiencies, internal security concerns, societal resilience, NATO burden-sharing and the Russian threat.<\/p>\n
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