The German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) voted on Friday to pass a bill allowing the state to move forward with military conscription.
The controversial bill received a solid majority in the end, with 323 lawmakers voting in favor and 272 against, with one abstention, CNN reported.
The move aims to increase the size of Germany's armed forces to around 260,000 soldiers from the current 180,000 by 2035.
This draft law does not provide for mandatory recruitment, but encourages voluntary recruitment through measures such as a starting monthly salary of 2,600 euros – an increase of 450 euros currently.
Under the new system, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire asking about their interest in serving in the military. From July 2027, boys will undergo mandatory military examinations as soon as they turn 18.
With these reforms, Germany joins several other European countries that have introduced or expanded military service since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.