Germany’s security official calls for conscription, 48-hour workweek to boost defence

President of Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy, Wolf-Jürgen Stahl, has called for the reinstatement of military conscription and the introduction of longer working hours in certain sectors, suggesting that a 48-hour workweek could enhance national preparedness.

Stahl emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Germany’s defence capabilities. He stressed that the state must ensure both civilian and military readiness in the event of an attack and questioned whether such preparedness could rely solely on voluntary participation, Caliber.Az reports, citing German media.

While asserting that the Bundeswehr is fundamentally capable of defending the country, Stahl warned that its operational effectiveness requires significant improvement. In particular, he proposed the reintroduction of longer working hours in certain societal and industrial sectors, including the armaments industry, to accelerate training and deployment.

Stahl noted that improving Germany’s defence readiness is not solely a matter of funding. Soldiers must also be trained on new equipment, with time being a critical factor. “We must do more. And that means: we must invest more time in our security, without ifs or buts. We must become qualified and ready for deployment faster,” he said.

The general also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that Moscow is rearming beyond what is necessary for the war in Ukraine and pursuing a strategy to weaken Europe through hybrid attacks.

By Vafa Guliyeva