School strikes are occurring across Germany to protest the potential reintroduction of compulsory military service. Bela Breitner, an organizer from School Strike Against Compulsory Military Service, stated that the federal government is serious about gradually reintroducing compulsory military service. At a protest in Hamburg, demonstrators displayed flags and banners with the message "We won't take part in your wars."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has prioritized strengthening Germany's military following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A new law allowing voluntary military service took effect in January, aimed at recruiting volunteers to increase troop numbers. However, if the security situation deteriorates or if there are insufficient volunteers, compulsory military service may be considered by Germany's Parliament, the Bundestag.
Under the current law, all 18-year-olds in Germany receive a questionnaire regarding their willingness to join the armed forces. Elias Bernhard, a 16-year-old protester from Hamburg, remarked that the responses indicate young people do not wish to join the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. He emphasized the commitment to continue striking until compulsory military service is removed from consideration.
The questionnaire is mandatory for men and voluntary for women, with all 18-year-old men required to undergo a medical exam to evaluate their fitness for potential military service. Organizers of the protests noted that the movement was triggered after some 18-year-olds in Kiel and Flensburg received official invitations for medical exams despite indicating no interest in military service on their registration forms.
The group has planned over a hundred demonstrations across Germany, including in Kiel, Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt. A spokesperson for the Defence Ministry confirmed that the obligation for a medical examination applies to all men liable for military service born after December 31, 2007, including those who expressed no interest in military service. Since July, approximately 1,000 18-year-old men who showed no interest in the army have undergone medical exams.
Historically, Germany had a large army during the Cold War but reduced its armed forces in the 1990s after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel ended compulsory military service in 2011. In response to perceived threats from Russia and pressure from the United States, Merz has pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional army. Currently, the Bundeswehr has around 186,700 troops, with plans to increase this number to 260,000 by the early 2030s, supplemented by around 200,000 reservists, to meet new NATO force targets and enhance Germany's defenses.