The Local Germany

Hitler bomb plot ceremony marred by row

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:09:00 +0200

A high profile ceremony for new voluntary recruits to the Bundeswehr, marking the botched attempt to assassinate Hitler in 1944, was marred on Saturday as a row blew up over the decision to change the location.

Voluntary service shows signs of acceptance

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:57:00 +0100

The Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), which replaced the civilian national service alternative to military conscription, is finally managing to attract volunteers after a slow start, but there is still unease about the scheme.

Few recruits sign up for new voluntary civic service

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:39:00 +0200

Charities and non-profit groups are battling to cope with a dramatic fall in the number of young recruits since civilian conscription was scrapped and replaced with a voluntary scheme, media reported Wednesday.

Last Bundeswehr conscripts report for duty

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:25:00 +0100

Germany’s final batch of military conscripts, some 12,000 young men, reported for duty on Monday, as the country moves toward a smaller, professional armed forces.

End to military conscription could overwhelm universities

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:28:00 +0200

Germany’s planned end to military conscription and its alternative Zivildienst public service could burden universities with up to 50,000 additional students next year, experts warned on Tuesday.

Schröder suggests elderly take part in public service

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:37:00 +0200

With military reforms set to end both conscription and its alternative Zivildienst public service, Family Minister Kristina Schröder said Wednesday that Germany should harness the power of its ageing population to fill the volunteer gap.

Guttenberg proposes trial period for new soldiers

Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:19:00 +0200

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on Sunday defended plans to effectively end compulsive military service in Germany – and suggested new recruits should serve under a probationary status for six months.

Conservatives suggest mandatory public service for young adults

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:06:00 +0200

As Germany debates major military reforms that will likely put an end to conscription – and thus the alternative public service – conservative politicians are suggesting a new compulsory service programme for young adults.

Labour minister moots community service for long-term jobless

Mon, 31 May 2010 10:51:00 +0200

Federal Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Monday presented a new plan to give community service jobs to some 33,000 unemployed with “miserable” placement chances.

Coalition agrees on future of compulsory community service

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:00:00 +0200

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition has agreed on the future of compulsory community service for young men who opt out of military conscription, a media report said on Tuesday.

Guttenberg kick-starts shorter conscription periods

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:55:00 +0100

Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to bring forward the government’s scheduled reduction of compulsory military service from 2011 to this autumn despite criticism from the ranks, a media report said Wednesday.

Solidarity for German students is a two-way street

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:13:00 +0200

With massive education protests filling Germany’s streets, The Local’s Marc Young explains (again) how the country can elegantly save its universities while offering students the chance to pay back society’s solidarity.