Tens of thousands of pupils strike against conscription
Tens of thousands of school students across Germany skipped class on Friday to protest against a possible return of compulsory military service. The organisers, the initiative "Schulstreik gegen Wehrpflicht", said more than 45,000 people took part in around 100 cities. Police have not given overall figures.
The protests target the new military service law, which took effect in January. Its core is compulsory medical screening (Musterung) for young men born in 2008 or later. The aim is to recruit enough volunteers to expand the armed forces. If the recruitment targets are missed, the Bundestag can decide to introduce compulsory service. Germany suspended conscription in 2011.
A spokesperson for the organisers said the government was serious about introducing conscription step by step, pointing to the questionnaires and to compulsory screenings that were originally due to start in July 2027. The initiative plans further actions, including demonstrations in Berlin and Stuttgart on 3 October.
Who is affected: military service obligations in Germany apply to German citizens. Young men with German citizenship born in 2008 or later, including those with dual citizenship, fall under the new screening rules.
What to do: if your son holds German citizenship and was born in 2008 or later, watch for post from the Bundeswehr and respond to it. Students who want to join a protest during school hours should check their school's rules first, because missing class can count as an unexcused absence.