German students protest new military service law nationwide

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BERLIN, GERMANY — Approximately 50,000 students across Germany launched a nationwide school boycott on Friday to protest a new military service law enacted by the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The protests targeted the "Modernization of Military Service" Act, which took effect on January 1, 2026, after being passed by the Federal Parliament in December. While the law currently maintains a voluntary service model, it introduces mandatory registration and medical examinations for all men born after January 2008 upon reaching the age of 18.

"We will not die for your wars"

In the capital, thousands of young people gathered at Potsdamer Platz before marching toward Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg. Organizers estimated the turnout in Berlin at 6,000 participants, though local police reported approximately 3,000. Demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as "We will not die for your wars," "Merz to the front," and "Never again compulsory conscription".

Similar demonstrations were held in other major cities, including Bonn, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hamburg. Protesting youth expressed concerns that these administrative requirements serve as a precursor to a full return to mandatory conscription under the Merz administration.

Merz's military modernization goals

Since taking office, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has frequently stated his ambition to transform the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) into the most powerful conventional military in Europe. This policy shift comes as Germany faces mounting pressure to meet NATO commitments, which require the country to maintain 460,000 troops ready for crisis or war scenarios.

The Bundeswehr's current strength stands at approximately 183,000 personnel—significantly below the required readiness levels. The government aims to increase the number of active soldiers to at least 270,000 and the number of reservists to 200,000 by the year 2035.

Bridging the troop gap

The government has indicated that it may consider further legal steps toward mandatory service if recruitment numbers fail to increase through voluntary means. The current modernization act is designed to create a reliable database of potential recruits, making it easier to mobilize the population if the security situation in Europe worsens.

Student organizations, however, argue that the increased military spending and focus on rearmament come at the expense of education and social services, vowing to continue their opposition to any move toward forced enlistment.

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