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Local Germany
a day ago
- Politics
- Local Germany
Survey shows majority of Germans in favour of return to conscription
A total of 54 percent of those polled by research institute YouGov for the German Press Agency (DPA) advocated for reinstating compulsory military service in Germany. Thirty-six percent support conscription for both men and women, while 18 percent thought that only men should be called up, as was the case in the past. Only 40 percent of the 2,212 responders believed that military service should remain voluntary. Six percent did not provide an answer. READ ALSO: German military sees Russia as 'existential risk' to Germany and Europe: report Compulsory military service in Germany was suspended after 55 years in 2011 by the then CDU/CSU and FDP coalition government because the "permanently changed security and defence policy situation" at that time could no longer justify the encroachment on people's fundamental rights. However, in light of the growing threat from Russia, conscription is once again a hot topic. Conscription for men is still enshrined in the country's basic law ( Grundgesetz ), but for this to be extended to women by way of an amendment, a two-thirds majority would be needed. This means the CDU-SPD coalition would need the approval of the Greens and the Left Party. However, the Left Party is fundamentally opposed to conscription. READ ALSO: German army struggles for fresh recruits as conscription threat grows Sixty-eight percent of CDU and CSU voters are in favour of reintroducing conscription, according to a YouGov survey. Among SPD voters, it's 64 percent, 55 percent of AfD supporters and 51 percent of Green Party voters. But a majority of Left Party voters oppose compulsory military service – 69 percent support maintaining voluntary military service. Perhaps unsurprisingly, older people are more likely to be in favour of conscription, the survey results showed. Advertisement Only one in three (35 percent) in the 18-29 age group support it, but two-thirds of respondents over 70 (66 percent) are in favour. In their coalition agreement, the CDU and SPD agreed on military service "that is initially based on voluntary service." But defence minister Boris Pistorius later stated that the Bundeswehr needed to be expanded by 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers to meet the growing threat from Russia. Currently, there are just over 180,000. READ ALSO: Germany 'has three years' to overhaul military The CDU/CSU is now pushing for its coalition partner, the SPD, to make a quick decision on whether this troop strength can be achieved through voluntary military service alone. "We don't have time to wait until doomsday," said Chancellor's Office Chief Thorsten Frei in an interview with the German Press Agency. The CDU-SPD coalition must make a clear agreement "on when we need to change our strategy so that we can achieve the goal that everyone recognises as necessary."
DW
15-06-2025
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Soldiers gather for first-ever Veterans Day – DW – 06/15/2025
06/15/2025 June 15, 2025 AfD and Left Party warned over behavior in parliament The president of the German parliament, Julia Klöckner, has warned members of the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the socialist Left Party (Die Linke) over their behavior in the Bundestag, accusing of them of using the platform offered by parliament to go viral on social media. "We have a strengthened Left Party and a strengthened AfD in parliament who seem to need each other to serve their respective constituencies on TikTok and other platforms," said Bundestagspräsidentin Klöckner, who fulfils functions similar to that of a parliamentary speaker in other countries. "There are currently several candidates for top spot when it comes to rule breaches," she told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) media outlet this weekend. "And that shouldn't be taken as an accolade. The floor [of parliament] is not a stage on which to produce content for digital media. This is where we confront each other using words." Klöckner, a member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), recently ordered two Left Party members to leave the hall after donning items of clothing which conveyed "intentional provocations." Last week, lawmaker Cansin Köktürk was asked to change out of a black t-shirt which bore the word "Palestine" while her colleague Marcel Bauer refused to remove a Basque beret. Klöckner judged that both items contravened rules which state that lawmakers' attire must "respect the dignity of the house."
Euronews
04-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Left Party MP expelled from German parliament over Palestine t-shirt
Left Party MP Cansin Köktürk was thrown out of a German parliament plenary chamber on Wednesday for wearing a t-shirt with the word "Palestine" printed on it, a move deemed a political statement by the parliamentary leadership. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner intervened during the session, reminding MPs that political messages on clothing are not permitted in the chamber. "We have agreed and these are the clear rules of the House," Klöckner said, "that neither stickers nor any other form of denomination on T-shirts play a role." She continued, "I have asked Ms. Köktürk to change her sweater - and we did not make that public - but you apparently refuse. I would then ask you to leave the meeting. Please do so." This is not the first time Köktürk has attracted attention in parliament. On her very first day as an MP, she appeared in the Bundestag wearing a scarf resembling a Palestinian keffiyeh, prompting members of the conservative CDU to call for an official ban on such symbols. Köktürk later took to X to respond to the incident, writing: "Germany will continue to supply weapons to Israel. Not a word about over 50,000 dead and injured children. I am being asked by Mrs. Klöckner to leave the plenary hall because my shirt says 'Palestine.' You have all failed so badly." While the Bundestag does not have a detailed dress code, its rules require MPs and visitors to dress "in keeping with the prestige" of the institution. Enforcement of this standard is left to the discretion of the session chair. Past incidents suggest the issue is not limited to any one party or political leaning. In 2017, a 13-year-old girl visiting the Bundestag on a school trip was asked at security to zip up her "Refugees Welcome" sweatshirt to conceal the slogan. And in 2009, a student was stopped for wearing a T-shirt reading "Make love, not war." More recently, MP Marcel Bauer was twice expelled from the plenary chamber for refusing to remove a black beret, which was deemed inappropriate. Both Klöckner and Bundestag Vice President Andrea Lindholz (CSU) ordered him to follow the parliament's dress norms or leave. These recurring incidents reflect an ongoing debate in German politics over how far personal expression and political symbolism should be allowed within the halls of parliament. The EU steel sector was on high alert on Wednesday following the implementation of 50% US tariffs on steel and aluminium, a move that might divert global steel imports formerly heading to the US towards the EU. "With the doubling of US blanket tariffs on steel to 50% without exceptions, we expect massive deflection of the 27 million tonnes of steel previously destined for the US towards the European market,' director general of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) Axel Eggert warned in a statement. 'We are being flooded by cheap foreign steel,' he added, 'without swift action, we will not just be underwater — we will drown.' Kerstin Maria Rippel, the chief executive of the German Steel Federation said the 50% tariffs marked 'a new level of escalation' in the EU-US trade conflict. 'A 50-percent tariff on steel exports is a massive burden on our industry, as it will increase pressure on an economy already in crisis and will impact our steel sector in multiple ways,' Rippel said. On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order, which the White House shared on X, claiming that the rise of tariffs on steel and aluminium would 'provide greater support' to US industries, and would 'eliminate the national security threat' posed by imported steel and aluminium. Last March, Trump had re-established tariffs on steel and aluminium, which were initially imposed in 2018 and 2020 under his first mandate. The steel sector has already been struggling with Chinese overcapacities flooding the EU market, but since the US imposed tariffs across the globe the bloc is facing overcapacities from multiple countries. Import penetration in the EU is up to 30% in 2025 in a context of depressed demand, Eggert claimed. In Brussels, the pressure has intensified following Trump's increased tariffs at a time when the EU seeks to negotiate a resolution to its trade dispute with the US. 'The 50% tariffs have clearly not helped the negotiations at all,' said one EU diplomat. On Wednesday, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič acknowledged in an X post that the two sides 'are advancing in the right direction at pace', and are 'staying in close contact to maintain the momentum', following his meeting with his US counterpart, Jamieson Greer in Paris on the sidelines of an OECD trade ministerial. But quizzed by journalists later in the day, Šefčovič said he 'strongly' regretted Trump's latest 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium, adding: 'It doesn't help, especially as we are making progress.' A group of EU high-level experts, including Tomás Baert, trade advisor to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been in Washington since Monday to negotiate the technical details that could help the EU and the US break the deadlock. Besides the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium, the EU is also facing a 25% tariff on cars and a 10% levy on all other imports. The US also has launched several investigations into pharma, semiconductors and aircrafts that could lead to further tariffs. Trump has further threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all EU goods as of 9 July if the negotiations fail to meet his expectations. The US and the EU exchanged proposals two weeks ago, but both sides have dismissed the other's offers. The EU offered a deal of zero-for-zero tariffs on all industrial goods and purchase of strategic products such as US energy, tech and agri-products, whereas the US expected the EU to review some of its regulations.
Days of Palestine
04-06-2025
- Business
- Days of Palestine
Germany Approves Over €485 Million in Arms Exports to Israel Since Gaza War Started
DayofPal– New data from the German Bundestag reveals that the German government approved weapons exports to Israel worth over €485 million since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. In response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party, the government confirmed that between October 7, 2023, and May 13, 2025, it granted individual licenses for the export of military goods to Israel totaling €485,103,796. The approved exports span 21 different weapons categories and include firearms, ammunition, military electronics, naval equipment, armored vehicles, and weapon components—indicating the breadth of Germany's defense support to Israel. This disclosure comes amid growing international condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, which various United Nations bodies, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and human rights organizations have described as potential war crimes and acts of genocide. The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in relation to the ongoing war. Following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in March 2025, Israel has escalated its military operations in Gaza. Reports suggest that up to 80% of those killed are women and children, with Israeli officials reportedly threatening 'total devastation' of the territory. The blockade of humanitarian aid and the collapse of Gaza's infrastructure have further exacerbated the crisis. In its response to the inquiry, the German government defended its export approval process, stating that each license undergoes rigorous scrutiny under German and EU arms export laws, the Arms Trade Treaty, and humanitarian risk assessments. Berlin argued that its procedures align with international legal obligations and cited the ICJ's recent decision in the Nicaragua v. Germany case, in which the court declined to impose emergency restrictions on German arms exports, while recognizing Germany's individual case-by-case review system. However, critics argue that Germany cannot absolve itself of responsibility for how its weapons are used once exported. Calls for greater transparency were met with government refusals to disclose monthly shipment details or the names of weapons manufacturers, citing national security concerns. The Left Party also questioned whether Germany would enforce ICC arrest warrants if Netanyahu or Gallant entered the country. The government did not issue a direct response but referred to prior statements regarding its legal obligations under international law. Rights groups and opposition politicians are intensifying demands for Berlin to suspend military exports to Israel and ensure accountability for any complicity in alleged war crimes. Germany remains the second-largest arms supplier to Israel, a position that is drawing increasing scrutiny both domestically and abroad. Shortlink for this post:
Jordan News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Nearly Half a Billion Euros in German Arms Exports to Israel Since October 7 Attack - Jordan News
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Germany has approved arms exports to Israel worth nearly €500 million, sparking widespread controversy and legal challenges. اضافة اعلان According to a German Ministry of Economy response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party, between October 7, 2023, and May 13, 2025, Berlin authorized the export of military weapons and equipment valued at €485.1 million to Israel. The response—signed by State Secretary Bernhard Kluitsch and obtained by Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)—did not clarify whether the newly installed German government (a coalition of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats) had issued further licenses after assuming office on May 6, 2025. Review of Arms Policy Germany's new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently cast doubt on the continuation of arms exports to Israel. In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, he said such exports are under review to assess compatibility with international humanitarian law, particularly in light of Israeli actions in Gaza. 'This review will determine whether what is happening in Gaza complies with international humanitarian law,' Wadephul stated. 'Based on that, we will decide whether further arms deliveries are appropriate.' When asked if the review could result in halting exports altogether, he affirmed: 'That is exactly what the wording implies.' Legal and Political Challenges The issue remains legally contentious, as Nicaragua has filed a case against Germany at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Berlin of complicity in genocide in Gaza due to its arms shipments. In April 2024, ICJ judges rejected an emergency request to halt the deliveries but did not dismiss the case, allowing the proceedings to continue. Domestic Backlash Ulrich Thoden, defense policy expert from the Left Party, called for an immediate halt to all arms shipments to Israel: 'Otherwise, Germany risks being found complicit in crimes prosecutable under international law.' The case continues to stir legal, political, and ethical debate both within Germany and on the international stage.
