Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, in a move aimed at boosting national defense after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It marks a significant shift in Germany's approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's push to create Europe's strongest conventional army. This change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
However, students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities to protest against the move. Many young Germans either oppose the new law or are skeptical, expressing concerns about being confined in military training for half a year. Protest organizers stated, War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods.
The Bundestag voted 323 to 272 in favor of the initiative, with Germany becoming the latest European nation to revise its military service framework, joining France in introducing voluntary options for military engagement.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius explained that mandatory medical examinations would help identify individuals fit for service. Currently, Germany's military has around 182,000 personnel, with plans to boost that number significantly in the coming years. The long-term goal is to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities amid rising geopolitical pressures.
It marks a significant shift in Germany's approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's push to create Europe's strongest conventional army. This change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
However, students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities to protest against the move. Many young Germans either oppose the new law or are skeptical, expressing concerns about being confined in military training for half a year. Protest organizers stated, War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods.
The Bundestag voted 323 to 272 in favor of the initiative, with Germany becoming the latest European nation to revise its military service framework, joining France in introducing voluntary options for military engagement.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius explained that mandatory medical examinations would help identify individuals fit for service. Currently, Germany's military has around 182,000 personnel, with plans to boost that number significantly in the coming years. The long-term goal is to strengthen Germany's defense capabilities amid rising geopolitical pressures.
