Germany Passes New Military Service Law Amid Youth Protests and Mixed Reactions

The German Bundestag has approved a new military service law aimed at bolstering national defense through a mix of mandatory registration and voluntary service, with potential conscription if recruitment goals are unmet. Passed with 323 votes in favor and 272 against, the law mandates that all men born in 2008 or later must complete a questionnaire assessing their willingness and suitability for service starting in 2026. Women may participate voluntarily.

The government plans to increase the Bundeswehr’s active soldiers from 183,000 to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035, alongside an expansion of reservists by 200,000, responding to heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Volunteers will be incentivized with a monthly salary of approximately 2,600 euros and subsidies for obtaining driver’s licenses. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the necessity of this measure for national security and involving youth in preserving peace and freedom.

Despite these intentions, the law has sparked widespread protests by students and youth organizations in about 90 cities across Germany, including significant demonstrations in Schleswig-Holstein, where thousands rallied against the reform. Critics fear the reintroduction of conscription and the pressure placed on young people to participate in military service. The anti-war podcaster Ole Nymoen voiced strong opposition, citing moral and pacifist grounds, and criticized older generations for advocating military engagement without personal service.

Additional concerns center on the mandatory questionnaire and the scheduled medical evaluations for men beginning in 2027, which some suggest could pave the way for compulsory conscription if voluntary enlistment proves insufficient. The Bundeswehr aims to recruit 20,000 volunteers in 2026 and 23,000 in 2027 to avoid such a draft.

The Bundestag has tasked the Defense Ministry with providing biannual reports on recruitment numbers. Should targets fail to be met, the parliament may reinstate the so-called 'Bedarfswehrpflicht' (demand-based conscription). This reform represents a significant shift in Germany's military policy, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and sparking profound public debate about duty, freedom, and peace.