With a new online tool, the BSW is encouraging young men to refuse military service.
The service went live on Tuesday morning, according to the “Stern”. Users can either run a “quick check” to see if they’re eligible for refusal, or submit a formal application for wartime service refusal directly through the app.
The web app is aimed mainly at 18‑year‑olds who anticipate wanting to refuse compulsory service before it becomes obligatory. Although compulsory conscription is currently absent, a modernisation law that took effect in January requires all 18‑year‑old men to report to the Bundeswehr. From July next year, they may also be required to attend a mobilisation exercise. Critics warn that these measures could pave the way for a return to compulsory service.
The BSW app provides a step‑by‑step guide through the refusal process and application preparation. It offers tips on drafting the résumé to submit: membership in shooting clubs or an interest in war games should not be mentioned, while peaceful martial arts such as Tai‑Chi might be regarded “as an expression of respect for human life”.
Users are urged to act quickly. Acceptance rates have fallen from 87 % in 2023 to 81 % in 2024. If a refusal is denied, the app advises that a lawsuit may be filed in an administrative court, noting a “good chance of success”.
BSW Chief Fabio De Masi explained the initiative on a political level. He told the “Stern” that the debate over conscription and armament is often led by a generation “that is no longer directly affected”. The web app is intended to give young people concrete support in navigating this landscape.