Green politician withdraws conscientious objection, joins Bundeswehr as reservist

Green Party politician Janosch Dahmen has withdrawn his previous conscientious objection to military service and registered as a reservist with the German Bundeswehr. The 44-year-old cited the altered security landscape following Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the primary driver for his decision.

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his conviction, not to kill any human being, still exists, but the framework conditions of his conscientious objection have changed.

Dahmen, who is also the Green Party's spokesperson for health policy, stated that while his conviction against killing remains, the circumstances surrounding his ethical decision have shifted. He believes it is insufficient to leave the defense of Germany and its liberal society solely to others.

According to Der Spiegel, Dahmen is also promoting a new approach to the Bundeswehr within his party. He advocates for a mandatory societal service period of six to twelve months after completing school. This service could be undertaken in various capacities, including the military, aid organizations, civil protection, or social institutions. Furthermore, he proposes a recurring "refresher service," suggesting that individuals should return to their respective fields for six weeks every six years. "We cannot make the responsibility for defense and resilience solely the task of the younger generation," he argued.

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It cannot be solely the task of others to defend Germany and the liberal society.

In November, the Greens passed a resolution at their federal party conference in Hanover to make military conscription mandatory for young men. However, the party maintained its stance on voluntary service beyond the initial assessment, aiming to determine general fitness for military duty without mandating service itself.

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Everyone should, for example, go back to their respective area for six weeks every six years. We cannot make the responsibility for defense and resilience solely the task of the younger generation.