The co-leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, has expressed caution regarding the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service.
"I believe that forcing 800,000 young people per year to serve is not the right thing to do," Klingbeil told German broadcaster ARD on Wednesday evening.
The leader of the SPD, the dominant party in Germany's ruling coalition, argued in favour of creating incentives for those who do voluntary service, for example giving study opportunities, vocational training or obtaining a driving licence - an exorbitantly expensive rite of passage in Germany.
Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in July 2011 after 55 years. However, it is still stipulated by law that compulsory military service for men will be revived in the event of civil unrest and national defence.
Klingbeil said that every young person should seriously consider whether they are willing to do a service for their country.
This could be a voluntary year in a social or ecological program, or service in Germany's military, the Bundeswehr.
"But forcing 800,000 young people to do so is difficult," emphasized the SPD leader.
The Bundeswehr is to be increased from the current 182,000 soldiers to 203,000 by 2031. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is looking into reactivating compulsory military service in order to remedy the personnel shortage.