Defence Minister Yuriko Backes has reiterated that Luxembourg will not introduce compulsory military service.
Despite previous comments about the necessity of a broader discussion, especially by General Steve Thull in late November, Backes clarified that neither she nor the government has a mandate to implement such a policy.
The majority of Luxembourg's political parties have strongly opposed the reintroduction of mandatory military service which ended in 1967.
In September, Backes had said: "I don't have a mandate in the coalition agreement to introduce compulsory military service, but I think that discussion is also being conducted in other countries. We will have to conduct it here as well."
However, on Monday, she clarified that her statements had been misunderstood, explaining: "We live in a democracy where you have to be able to talk about everything, but it was very clear to me that I have no mandate, and neither I nor the government are thinking about introducing compulsory military service."
Instead of conscription, Backes floated the idea of a voluntary reserve. This aligns with proposals from the police and army union. "No one should be forced to take part in something like this. It must also be very broad. I have had discussions with young people who say that if there were a programme where I, as a young person, could take part in such a 'military internship' for three or six months, I would be very happy to do so. I think that is a very positive reflection of our youth," Backes noted.
Nevertheless, establishing such a reserve remains a distant goal. Backes admitted that the army is not yet prepared, making it difficult to estimate a timeline. The Minister also highlighted the potential for a civilian reserve, though she noted this falls under the responsibility of the High Commission for National Protection or Health, not the Ministry of Defence.
For now, the government is focusing on bolstering the army, particularly through initiatives like the €2.6-billion-euro binational battalion. "That is a real political and military priority. That also needs people," Backes explained. To attract recruits, the military is prioritising roles like cyber experts, satellite specialists, and pilots.
Backes underscored the importance of these efforts in the current geopolitical climate: "This is really about us defending our democracy, and we have a very real threat today. We simply must not forget that."
