Thousands protest in Berlin against new German conscription bill

Saturday 06 December 2025 - 15:20

By: Sahili Aya

Thousands protest in Berlin against new German conscription bill

Thousands of people gathered in central Berlin on Friday to denounce Germany’s newly approved military conscription bill, a measure aimed at expanding the country’s armed forces amid growing concerns over European security.

The Bundestag passed the legislation after months of intense debate, highlighting divisions within German society about the future of military service. The law comes as NATO allies push for greater defence preparedness, warning that Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine could eventually threaten neighboring territories.

Organizers estimated that about 3,000 demonstrators marched through the capital, calling the reform unnecessary and unjust for younger generations. Many carried signs rejecting compulsory military service and urging the government to prioritize social issues instead of military spending.

Tess Datzer, an 18-year-old student participating in the protest, said she felt the government was placing expectations on young people without offering long-term support in return. “There’s little investment in our future — not in education, not in climate action,” she said. “I don’t see why our generation should be expected to go to war.”

Protest coordinator Ronja Ruh criticized rising defence expenditures at a time when many public institutions face funding shortages. She highlighted deteriorating school infrastructure and the lack of teachers as evidence that national priorities were misplaced.

Under the new bill, the Bundeswehr aims to grow to 260,000 active troops and increase its reserve force to 200,000 by 2035. The law introduces a dual system combining attractive voluntary enlistment incentives with the option to activate compulsory service if recruitment goals are not met.

Men born after January 1, 2008, will be subject to medical evaluations, marking a return to procedures not seen since Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011. Both young men and women will be asked to express their willingness to serve, though only men are required to reply.

The debate over conscription is not unique to Germany. Several European countries, including France, Italy, Belgium, Finland, and multiple Baltic states, are reexamining or reinforcing mandatory service amid concerns about regional security and Russia’s military posture.