In several German cities, thousands of students took to the streets on Thursday to protest the federal government’s latest military‑service decisions. The call for demonstrations came from the “School Strike Against Conscription” coalition, which, as it did in December, urged students not to attend school that day and instead strike against conscription and all compulsory service. The coalition calls the government’s plans “first steps toward re‑introducing conscription” and rejects them outright.
The group reports that over 55,000 students have already demonstrated against these plans, and they hope to see a similarly strong turnout this time. Protests were held nationwide in many cities; for instance, early in the morning a large crowd gathered at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin.
While there is currently no compulsory military service in Germany, the armed forces have, since January, been mailing questionnaires to all 18‑year‑olds. Men are required to complete the form, while completion is optional for women. Beginning in mid‑2027, men will be required to attend a mandatory initial assessment.