Germany Set to Abolish the Draft

[Kellanved]

Young German men could soon be free of compulsory military service. But abolishing the draft may pose a serious problem for the social system, which depends on those men that opt for the alternative -- community service.

German politicians have long been debating plans to abandon the draft in favor of a professional army. But getting rid of conscription would also entail an end to its alternative -- community service.

The details are as yet unconfirmed, but the government this year looks set to shorten the length of compulsory community service from 10 to nine months -- the same that is required for military service.

According to reports in the Financial Times Deutschland, this would be the first step towards a phase-out of both military and community service by 2008. A government spokeswoman declined to comment on the reports ahead of a meeting on Thursday, when the Minister for Family Affairs Renate Schmidt, is due to present her report on the future of community service.

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http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1432_A_1087140_1_A,00.html

[lcordero]

1. It was very easy for me to change my view on

compulsory community service. Especially, when comparing it military service.