Amidst a general acceleration of global militarization, Germany is advancing its own laws to strengthen its army, at the expense of its population. ---- In Germany, too, war is becoming an increasingly real possibility! Since January 1st of this year, men aged 17 to 45 have been prohibited from leaving the country for extended periods without express authorization from the army. This is one of the consequences of a reform of the conscription law, passed surreptitiously last year by the Bundestag. This provision is unprecedented in reunified Germany and takes us straight back to the Cold War era.
There, too, the voracious bourgeoisie seems increasingly determined to make any sacrifice. Germany has already committed to increasing the number of its active-duty military personnel from 160,000 to 260,000. And while German politicians might prefer to use "volunteers," the law already stipulates that compulsory service is a possibility. In reality, the very idea of volunteering could be questioned: in a time of capitalist crisis and labor market tension, what freedom is there for unemployed men and women from the working class?
This new reform must be understood within a broader context. For years, the German imperialist strategy, inherited from West Germany[1], has been increasingly challenged. Until now, Berlin benefited from the neoliberal order established after the war: its security was delegated to NATO[2], and its economic prosperity was based on European integration and free trade. As a quintessential export-oriented economy, Germany has greatly benefited from the accession of Eastern European countries, with their less developed economies and ability to supply cheap labor, to the EU and the Schengen Area.
It is therefore clear that the recent pronouncements of US President Donald Trump have played a significant role in this shift in the imperialist strategy of Europe's wealthiest nation. NATO no longer seems as robust an institution since the United States decided to refocus on its own interests. And while Germany continues to host US nuclear missiles, the question of European rearmament remains crucial. This is especially true since such rearmament could allow German capitalists to maintain good relations with China, their primary trading partner.
And how can we not consider, in parallel, what is happening with our major partner, France? Here too, the idea of reinstating compulsory military service is gaining traction. When we hear Macron wanting to bring back to Africa the French companies that are "hungry," how can we not see this as a new foundation for the Franco-German partnership? Reviving old plans for a European army could also be a golden opportunity to give a boost to struggling economies.
In France, Thales, Safran, and Dassault are already anticipating the demands of warmongers and are recruiting heavily. The Germans, not wanting to be left behind, are taking the same path: Volkswagen has announced its intention to resume arms production. They have already begun negotiations with an Israeli company to transform their Osnabrück plant (no longer profitable enough) into a manufacturer of anti-aircraft defenses.
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[1]Federal Republic of Germany, formerly West Germany.
[2]North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a US military alliance.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Militarisation-en-Europe-l-Allemagne-accelere
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Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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