Germany suspends military approval for long stays abroad for men under 45

"Whether they are 17 or 45, or anywhere in between – everyone is, of course, free to travel and currently does not need permission to do so."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"During this peacetime period, there will be no permission procedures. We are suspending the permission requirement as long as military service is voluntary."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"If the “modernised” model fails to pull in enough recruits, parliament will be compelled to discuss the reintroduction of compulsory service."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"According to the wording of the law, males aged 17 and over are obliged to seek prior approval from the relevant Bundeswehr career centre for stays abroad lasting longer than three months."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"As military service under current law is based exclusively on voluntary participation, such authorisations must, in principle, be granted."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"swift clarification from the ministry and said citizens have a right to know their reporting duties."

— Sara Nanni , Politician

"a scandal that shows authoritarianism and militarisation go hand in hand."

— Nicole Gohlke , Politician

"work out a pragmatic solution without a huge administrative burden and unnecessary impositions on young men."

— Rüdiger Lucassen , Politician

"las graves violaciones de los derechos fundamentales que conllevaría la ley de servicio militar."

— Desirée Becker , Politician

"Los ciudadanos tienen derecho a saber con prontitud si están obligados a informar."

— Sara Nanni , Politician

"Recuerda a la época de la RDA y el Muro de Berlín; no tiene nada que ver con la democracia ni con un orden libre y democrático."

— Sahra Wagenknecht , Politician

"Para mí son importantes los procedimientos no burocráticos y manejables. En la actual época de paz no habrá procedimientos de autorización."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician

"He defendido con éxito esta postura dentro de la coalición de Gobierno."

— Boris Pistorius , Politician