45,000 German Students Strike Against Potential Military Conscription
Students across 100 German cities protested government military reforms and mandatory medical screenings that could lead to the reintroduction of compulsory service.
More than 45,000 students across 100 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, walked out of classes on Friday to protest the potential reintroduction of compulsory military service. Organized by the School Strike Against Conscription, the demonstrations targeted the Military Service Modernization Act and the broader effort by Friedrich Merz to expand the Bundeswehr.
Tensions escalated after the German Federal Ministry of Defence summoned 18-year-old men for mandatory medical screenings, including approximately 1,000 individuals who had explicitly stated they had no interest in military service. Protesters characterized the military buildup as war preparation and refused to be used as "cannon fodder."
The government's current strategy involves a fitness and interest questionnaire for all men turning 18. While service remains voluntary, the Bundestag retains the authority to activate compulsory conscription if voluntary recruitment fails to meet targets. Chancellor Merz aims to increase the Bundeswehr from its current 186,700 personnel to over 260,000 active troops and 200,000 reservists by the early 2030s to meet NATO goals and counter threats from Russia.
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