Plans to re-introduce military service in Germany have been thrown into chaos due to an 11th hour row among the governing parties.
A compromise, which was set to include the possibility of some mandatory conscription, has been shot down.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has indicated a desire for Germany to establish the strongest conventional army in Europe.
However, on Tuesday night, a press conference to announce the proposals was abruptly cancelled, just before a draft bill was slated to go before parliament on Thursday. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has denied the allegations of 'torpedoing' the plans.
Despite being the EU's largest economy, Germany's military has seen inadequate funding for decades following the Cold War.
Berlin is now racing to boost spending and personnel, with warnings that NATO members must prepare for a potential Russian attack within the next four years.
Military service remains a politically charged topic in Germany, as a significant portion of society is wary of conscription and the ramifications of re-armament which historically led to turmoil in the 20th Century.
Nevertheless, a recent survey indicated that 54% of respondents supported compulsory service, while 41% opposed it; opposition rises to 63% among the 18 to 29 demographic.
Germany aims to increase its armed forces from 183,000 active members to 260,000 by 2035, along with 200,000 reservists.
The proposed reforms entail that 18-year-olds complete an online questionnaire regarding their readiness to serve, which is mandatory for men but optional for women.
Resistance is evident within the SPD regarding any compulsory measures. Originally, the coalition agreement included a voluntary approach to military service.
Amid negotiations, reports suggested a multi-stage process including a lottery system for mandatory conscription should recruitment not meet targets.
However, Boris Pistorius has proposed that young men undergo medical assessments starting July 2027 to evaluate available manpower, steering away from a lottery.
Despite the political deadlock, he asserts that new legislation will be enacted in time to take effect next year.
Germany has not enforced conscription since 2011, allowing young men to opt for social work if they are conscientious objectors.
