German students protest military service law as conscription fears grow

2026-03-04 - 10:22

Thousands of German students have taken to the streets this week in escalating protests against a new military service law, reflecting growing opposition to government plans to bolster the armed forces amid rising security tensions in Europe. The legislation, which took effect in January, requires all men turning 18 to complete a questionnaire assessing their fitness, qualifications and interest in military service, followed by potential medical examinations. Students fear return of draft Bela Breitner, spokesman for the School Strike Against Conscription initiative, told Anadolu that while the new system is presented as voluntary, it represents a clear step toward reintroducing compulsory military service—the draft—which was suspended in 2011. "Government officials have also made it clear that if the current measures are not sufficient to reach the number of recruits the army deems necessary, they will implement compulsory measures," he said. Breitner expressed concern that the mandatory questionnaire will create a database for future general conscription. Broader security concerns "We are protesting this because the reintroduction of conscription, along with the rearmament we're experiencing right now and the stationing of US medium-range missiles in Germany—these are all escalatory measures, a preparation for war," Breitner asserted. He also cited recent media reports of far-right extremism and harassment within the Bundeswehr, arguing that "time in the German army is not something young people should be forced to endure." Personnel crisis drives reform Germany's new military service law aims to address chronic personnel shortages in the armed forces, which currently has approximately 184,000 active troops. To meet NATO commitments, the Defense Ministry aims to expand the force to over 260,000 by 2035, requiring roughly 20,000 new recruits annually. If the voluntary system falls short, parliament would have to revisit the law and could consider demand-based or even mandatory conscription. To attract recruits, the government has introduced incentives including training, language courses, driver's license opportunities and a significantly higher starting salary of about €2,600 monthly. Expert urges dialogue Martin Bieber, a defense policy expert at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, acknowledged that politicians made a mistake by not consulting young people more closely when drafting the legislation. "Young people are angry. They feel they were not included enough in the debates—that this is a decision made above their heads. This is to some extent true," he told Anadolu. However, Bieber criticized some protest groups and left-wing parties for spreading what he called unfounded scare tactics, noting that the current law does not reintroduce compulsory service and Germany lacks the infrastructure—barracks, trainers, equipment and clothing—needed for any immediate return to conscription. Practical hurdles remain Official figures show approximately 700,000 young men and women will receive the questionnaire this year. Men are required to complete it; women may do so voluntarily. The Bundeswehr hopes to recruit 20,000 volunteers in 2026, with annual targets rising thereafter. Bieber described the goal of reaching over 260,000 active troops by 2035 as "really, really ambitious" given the current shortfall of roughly 80,000 personnel, adding that without a reformed military service model, the target may prove unattainable.