“I do not want to reintroduce compulsory military service”

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However when asked Merkel told German broadcaster ARD: “I do not want to reintroduce compulsory military service.”

“The service would not only apply to German citizens but to refugees and asylum seekers of legal age who are living in Germany.”

She suggested: “One year of service for men and women.

The policy was put forward by Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, secretary-general of Merkel’s governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

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She added that the needs of the military had changed from the Cold War, when a large German army was needed to face-off against the Soviet Union.

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer argued that the policy could help integrate Germans and refugees, over a million of whom arrived in 2015 alone.

She explained: “If refugees complete such a year, which could be voluntary or mandatory, it would help to integrate them into the country and society.

“It would also increase the acceptance of refugees among the population.