German Students Stage Nationwide Protests Against Proposed Military Service Law

Students Mobilize Against Conscription Plans

School students across Germany are preparing for a significant nationwide protest on Friday, December 5, 2025, to voice their opposition to the government's proposed compulsory military service law. The action day is strategically timed to coincide with a crucial Bundestag vote on the legislation. Organized by the student alliance 'School strike against military service' (Schulstreik gegen die Wehrpflicht), the protests are expected to draw participants from nearly 90 locations across the country.

Demonstrations are scheduled in cities such as Potsdam at 10 am and Cottbus at 1:30 pm, alongside numerous other local actions. The student movement, supported by peace groups, unions, and local coalitions, has previously held protests in major urban centers including Berlin, Hamburg, and Leipzig.

Details of the Proposed Military Service Model

The proposed military service model, championed by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, seeks to reintroduce a form of conscription, which was suspended in 2011. The plan aims to bolster the Bundeswehr's strength, with goals to increase active personnel to approximately 260,000-270,000 and add 200,000 reservists by 2029-2035.

Under the current proposal, all 18-year-old men would be required to complete a mandatory digital questionnaire assessing their interest and fitness for military service, with potential medical examinations to follow. While the initial focus is on voluntary enlistment, offering financial and other incentives, provisions exist for an 'emergency draft' or compulsory enlistment if volunteer numbers fall short. Such a measure would necessitate further parliamentary approval. The new bill is anticipated to take effect on January 1, 2026, following the Bundestag vote.

Political Divisions and Student Concerns

The reintroduction of military service is largely driven by heightened security concerns in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a broader effort to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities. However, the initiative has exposed divisions within the ruling coalition, with Minister Pistorius's Social Democratic Party (SPD) favoring a voluntary model, while the conservative CDU/CSU bloc advocates for a mandatory component.

Student protestors are vocal in their opposition, with the 'School strike against military service' alliance emphasizing their refusal to be 'cannon fodder' for state interests. Public opinion on the matter is mixed; while overall polling indicates majority support for conscription, a significant majority of those aged 18-29 oppose it. The German Ministry of Education has issued warnings of potential sanctions for students participating in the strikes.