— The demands of the Bundeswehr and the economy must be carefully balanced, warns the president of the employers' union, Rainer Dulger, in an interview with “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.”
This, however, does not mean “that reservists will now be called up for military exercises in unlimited numbers and for any length of time,” emphasizes Bastian Ernst from the CDU, who has headed the Reservists' Union since April, in an interview with “Münchner Merkur.” – There will be limits here. We don't want to harm businesses – he assures.
Soldiers during a solemn oath on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the German armed forces (Bundeswehr), Mainz, Germany, November 19, 2025.Hannes P Albert / PAP
Still, employers are concerned. — Double voluntarism has proven to be an effective model for reconciling the interests of the Bundeswehr and the economy, Dulger argued. -We should stick to it.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has a different opinion: military service is voluntary, but someone who decides to do it “must be aware that this involves the subsequent obligation to participate in reserve exercises“.
Pistorius wants to introduce an obligation for reservists
The SPD politician points to ambitious plans: Up to the planned 260,000. men and women soldiers in active service are to join 200 thousand reservists. The latter are to be recruited mainly thanks to the new military service. Reservists are to benefit from regular exercises. — What is important for us is: it cannot be based on voluntariness. Therefore, an obligation will be introduced, Pistorius said.
Dulger argues that companies need “planning opportunities and legal clarity.”
— When expanding the reserve and compulsory recruitment of employees, a compromise is needed between the human resources needs of the Bundeswehr and the requirements of enterprises – emphasizes the president of the employers' association. Employers need to know which of their employees may be called up for reserve duty.
