German high school students protest against military service

Tens of thousands of high school students took the streets of cities all over the country to protest against the reintroduction of military service. Many people believe that conscription is inevitable. SocietyGermanyGerman high school students protest against military serviceBen Knight03/05/2026March 5, 2026Tens of thousands of high school students took the streets of cities all over the country to protest against the reintroduction of military service. Many people believe that conscription is inevitable.https://p.dw.com/p/59saCAcross Germany students took to the streets this Thurday against the reintroduction of compulsory military service Image: Henricus Lüschen/IMAGOAdvertisementYoung people gathered in Berlin's central Potsdamer Square on Thursday and marched through the German capital to protest against the government's plans to reintroduce military service. While the police counted around 3,000 participants, organizers claimed there were 6,000 demonstrators in Berlin and 50,000 in more than 130 towns and cities across Germany. "I don't think I'll be dying for my friends, relatives, or acquaintances, in the worst-case scenario," 17-year-old Shmuel Schatz, spokesperson for the School Strike Committee told DW's Gasia Ohanes. "Rather, in the end, only for those who are put into the trenches for the interests of large corporations like Rheinmetall, ThyssenKrupp, and others, so they can line their pockets at the expense of war." The German government a new military service law in December last year. The law means all 18-year-olds will receive questionnaires this year, asking them about their motivation and suitability for the military and informing them about volunteering for the Bundeswehr. Responding will be mandatory for men. Conscription is back in Germany? What does that mean for young people?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Germany wants more soldiers "People who go there voluntarily can fight for this, even if that does have its problems. But people should not be forced. Coercion is never a solution," said 19-year-old Kiran Schürmann, another spokesperson for the protesters in Berlin. If this drive to bring in more volunteers does not meet the targets specified in the new military service, the government's plan is to reintroduce full conscription. The government said last year that it had set out a "growth path" to reach a total of around 260,000 soldiers — from a current 180,000 — plus some 200,000 reservists. In his military report presented on Tuesday, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces Henning Otte, of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) expressed "doubts about the prospects of success of the voluntary principle." Germany seeks to recruit 80,000 more active soldiersTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The number of conscientious objectors is rising Many people believe that conscription is inevitable, and peace organizations have already seen a rise in inquiries about how to refuse military service on grounds of conscience. The German constitution, or Basic Law, enshrines people's right not to join the military and there are several offers for counseling for conscientious objection. The number of conscientious objectors in Germany increased significantly in 2025. According to the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society (BAFzA), a total of 3,867 applications were submitted to the agency last year, a 72% increase compared to the previous year. Germany had compulsory national service for decades, with young men offered a civilian option. This was suspended in 2011, but it can be reinstated if the Bundestag declares a state of tension or national defense. That would require a two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament. In the event of a state of national defense, men between the ages of 18 and 60 could theoretically be drafted into military service. Thursday's nationwide protest was Germany's second "school strike": Some 55,000 people in 90 cities demonstrated in December 2025. Edited by Rina Goldenberg While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing. Ben Knight Ben Knight is a journalist in Berlin who mainly writes about German politics.@BenWernerKnightSend us your feedbackYour feedbackAdvertisement