“This proposal takes us in the wrong direction on almost every issue. Selling weapons with minimal restrictions creates obvious risks of weapons ending up in the wrong hands. Giving autonomous systems a wider role in warfare also raises serious questions about who is responsible when something goes wrong. Expanding the nuclear arsenal makes even less sense. We should be working towards disarmament, not adding more weapons that could cause unimaginable destruction. And women should not be told that they can serve their country as long as they stay away from combat. If someone is qualified and willing to serve, their role should depend on their abilities, not their gender. The armed forces should judge people on what they can do, not on outdated ideas about what women are supposed to do.”
Military Expansion And Restriction Act of 2022
Rationale
These changes strengthen national security and economic competitiveness while protecting traditional roles, ensuring readiness and sovereignty for future challenges.
Proposed Changes
| Law | Previous | Proposed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arms Exports |
Licensed exports with end-use checks
|
Sell arms with minimal restriction
|
|
| 2 | Autonomous Weapons Systems |
Autonomous systems for defence only
|
Permitted with mandatory human control
|
|
| 3 | Nuclear Weapons |
Maintain a minimal deterrent
|
Expand the nuclear arsenal
|
|
| 4 | Women in the Armed Forces |
Equal Participation — women serve alongside men on equal terms
|
No Fighting for Thee — women may serve but are limited to non-combat roles
|
1
Arms Exports2
Autonomous Weapons Systems3
Nuclear Weapons4
Women in the Armed ForcesProposer
Party
Homeland Alliance
A movement for citizens who believe that a nation's strength begins at home. The Homeland Alliance works to defend national interests, support hardworking families, and build a future based on stability, responsibility, and opportunity for all.
Core pillars
Werner Müller
Activist · Age 61
A once-successful small-business owner who entered politics after a personal scandal exposed the hypocrisy of the establishment, Werner Müller’s charisma and street-smart instincts have made him a magnetic figure among disillusioned voters.
Timeline
-
Draft4 November 2022
-
Vote Open4 November 2022
-
Vote Closed3 January 2023
-
Became Law3 January 2023
Vote tally
Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.
Bundesrat
PassedFor: 34 / 69 seats (49.3%)
Against: 33 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 2
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 23 | No | As a democratic country, we cannot be so irresponsible as to sell weapons to anybody: they might very well end up in the hands of terrorists or authoritarian regimes. We might be willing to discuss the autonomous systems amendment, but everything else is unacceptable. Especially the regulations on women in the armed forces: we're not in the Middle Age anymore, anybody proposing this should be ashamed! |
| Homeland Alliance Proposer | 10 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 10 | No | This proposal takes us in the wrong direction on almost every issue. Selling weapons with minimal restrictions creates obvious risks of weapons ending up in the wrong hands. Giving autonomous systems a wider role in warfare also raises serious questions about who is responsible when something goes wrong. Expanding the nuclear arsenal makes even less sense. We should be working towards disarmament, not adding more weapons that could cause unimaginable destruction. And women should not be told that they can serve their country as long as they stay away from combat. If someone is qualified and willing to serve, their role should depend on their abilities, not their gender. The armed forces should judge people on what they can do, not on outdated ideas about what women are supposed to do. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 24 | Yes | These changes strengthen national defence, strategic independence, and the domestic defence industry. Looser arms exports can improve economic competitiveness, while autonomous systems with mandatory human control preserve accountability. Expanding the nuclear arsenal strengthens deterrence, and keeping women in non-combat roles maintains traditional military structures while still allowing them to contribute to national defence. |
| Empty seats | 5 | Not voted |
Bundestag
PassedFor: 320 / 650 seats (49.2%)
Against: 310 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 20
| Party | Seats | Vote | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights | 219 | No | As a democratic country, we cannot be so irresponsible as to sell weapons to anybody: they might very well end up in the hands of terrorists or authoritarian regimes. We might be willing to discuss the autonomous systems amendment, but everything else is unacceptable. Especially the regulations on women in the armed forces: we're not in the Middle Age anymore, anybody proposing this should be ashamed! |
| Homeland Alliance Proposer | 91 | Yes | No reason given |
| Left Forward | 91 | No | This proposal takes us in the wrong direction on almost every issue. Selling weapons with minimal restrictions creates obvious risks of weapons ending up in the wrong hands. Giving autonomous systems a wider role in warfare also raises serious questions about who is responsible when something goes wrong. Expanding the nuclear arsenal makes even less sense. We should be working towards disarmament, not adding more weapons that could cause unimaginable destruction. And women should not be told that they can serve their country as long as they stay away from combat. If someone is qualified and willing to serve, their role should depend on their abilities, not their gender. The armed forces should judge people on what they can do, not on outdated ideas about what women are supposed to do. |
| Saxenheim Workers’ Union | 229 | Yes | These changes strengthen national defence, strategic independence, and the domestic defence industry. Looser arms exports can improve economic competitiveness, while autonomous systems with mandatory human control preserve accountability. Expanding the nuclear arsenal strengthens deterrence, and keeping women in non-combat roles maintains traditional military structures while still allowing them to contribute to national defence. |
| Empty seats | 52 | Not voted |
Voting record
Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.
“As a democratic country, we cannot be so irresponsible as to sell weapons to anybody: they might very well end up in the hands of terrorists or authoritarian regimes. We might be willing to discuss the autonomous systems amendment, but everything else is unacceptable. Especially the regulations on women in the armed forces: we're not in the Middle Age anymore, anybody proposing this should be ashamed!”
“These changes strengthen national defence, strategic independence, and the domestic defence industry. Looser arms exports can improve economic competitiveness, while autonomous systems with mandatory human control preserve accountability. Expanding the nuclear arsenal strengthens deterrence, and keeping women in non-combat roles maintains traditional military structures while still allowing them to contribute to national defence.”