Chancellor Friedrich Merz announces plans to strengthen the German army, with the goal of increasing the number of soldiers to 260,000 by 2035, including through voluntary recruitment.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany will build the strongest army in Europe, after years of neglect. The German government aims to increase the number of soldiers from 180,000 to 260,000, plus 200,000 reserves, by 2035, in the context of threats from Russia. In the first phase, volunteers will be attracted through financial incentives, including a monthly salary of 2,600 euros. If the targets are not met, compulsory recruitment will be resorted to. All 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire regarding their interest in serving in the army, and men will have to undergo medical checks. The changes are controversial, and a survey shows that the majority of left-wing voters oppose the reintroduction of compulsory military service. Germany has been underfunded militarily for decades, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a significant change in defense policy, including a special fund of 100 billion euros for modernizing the Bundeswehr.