Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The German parliament on Friday voted to introduce voluntary military service as European nations seek to boost readiness postures sparked by Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Germany's Bundestag voted 323 to 272 to back the new change following efforts by German Chancellor Friedrich Metz to strengthen the central European country's army.
In 2011, compulsory military service finally ended under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.
It means all 18-year-old Germans -- both men and women -- will be sent a mandatory questionnaire beginning in January to inquire about their level of interest in joining Germany's armed forces. But mandatory service, for now, will be replaced by incentives.
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