Germany has announced new incentives to boost military recruitment, including free driving licenses and a monthly pay increase of approximately €2,600, as part of its response to the escalating threat from Russia. This decision comes in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for increased defense spending in Europe, which has influenced Germany’s military strategy and readiness for potential conflicts. The coalition government, composed of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union and the Social Democrats, has approved these measures to address the growing security concerns facing the European continent.
The incentives include free access to driving licenses, which can cost several thousand dollars, and an increase in the existing pre-tax salary at the starting level to around $3,000 per month. These measures are intended to make voluntary military service more attractive to young Germans, with the goal of building a stronger and more capable armed force. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized the need to transform Germany’s military into