More than 45,000 students protest Germany’s new military service rules

More than 45,000 young people demonstrated across around 100 German cities on Friday, September 25, against new military service rules and the possibility of compulsory enlistment, according to figures cited by the “School Strike Against Compulsory Military Service” initiative.

The protests followed the introduction of a new system under which 18-year-olds will receive questionnaires about their willingness to serve in Germany’s armed forces. Completion will be mandatory for men but voluntary for women, while all 18-year-old men will also be required to undergo medical examinations to establish their fitness for potential military service.

Military service remains voluntary under the current system. However, if the number of volunteers proves insufficient, the Bundestag could decide to introduce compulsory military service.

The demonstrations were organised under the slogan “Your War — Without Us”. Protesters also displayed signs expressing opposition to conflict, including one that read “Russia Is Not Our Enemy”.

The demonstrations were reported in roughly 100 German cities, with young people taking part in one of the largest coordinated protests against the country’s military-service plans.

By Tamilla Hasanova