Thousands protest in Berlin against the new military conscription law in Germany
Thousands of people gathered in Berlin on December 5, 2025, to protest against the new military conscription law in Germany. The Bundestag passed the law after months of debate, aiming to strengthen the German armed forces amid fears of rising tensions with Russia.
The new conscription law, approved by the German parliament, is part of broader efforts to enhance European defense capabilities. NATO has called for increased military spending due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with rising concerns about the possibility of Russia targeting other countries in Europe. The law aims to raise the number of active Bundeswehr soldiers to 260,000 and reserve soldiers to 200,000 by 2035.
Protests erupted across Berlin, where many criticized the government. Eighteen-year-old protester Tis Datzar said she feels that the law places an unfair burden on her generation, considering it unreasonable to send young people to fight in a country that offers them little. She pointed to the lack of investment in public services such as pensions, education, and climate protection.
The protest organization Ronia Roh criticized the government's priorities, emphasizing that the funds pumped into the military and armament are enormous compared to the lack of funding for essential public services. It mentioned that schools suffer from outdated technologies, a significant shortage of teachers, and deteriorating school buildings, considering that these problems reflect a clear governmental mismanagement.
The conscription law offers a dual system, combining a more attractive voluntary service to attract youth, and a recruitment system that is activated in case of a shortage of applicants. All males born after January 1, 2008, will have to undergo medical examinations, and both men and women aged 18 will be required to declare their readiness for service, but only men are obligated to respond.