German school and university students protest conscription plans and the country’s militarization
German students stage nationwide walkouts protesting conscription plans and accelerating militarization under Merz government
On March 5, 2026, protests took place in several German cities against a new military service system and army expansion introduced by a law adopted in December, 2025. School pupils and university students joined the demonstrations—numbering several thousand in some cities—skipping classes to stage what they called a “school strike.”
The protesters oppose what they describe as the increasingly militarized policies of the governing coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The demonstrations represent the second wave of protests against the gradual push toward universal conscription in Germany, a policy initiative that has been quietly advancing since December 2025.
At present, the measures appear limited: all citizens reaching the age of 18 will receive a questionnaire from the armed forces. Completing it will be mandatory for men and optional for women. Beginning in 2027, mandatory medical examinations for men are also planned.
In practice, the system would create a registry of individuals who could potentially be mobilized if necessary. Authorities currently state that service will remain voluntary and last only six months. However, the legislation allows compulsory recruitment to be introduced if the number of volunteers proves insufficient.
Young protesters reject these plans. Many of them are not yet voters and feel decisions about their future are being made without their participation. Their placards made their message clear, with slogans such as “Friedrich Merz au front” (“Send Merz to the front”) and “The rich want war, the youth want a future.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocates a major expansion of Germany’s armed forces. Between 2030 and 2035, the military is expected to grow from about 185,000 to 260,000 personnel in an effort to build what the government calls the strongest conventional army in Europe.
Germany abolished mandatory military service in 2011.
The country does not share a border with Russia and is a member of NATO.
Germany does not possess its own nuclear weapons, but between roughly one and two dozen U.S.-made B61 nuclear bombs are stored at Büchel Air Base. Germany has also ordered 35 F-35 fighter jets to maintain participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing mission.
During the protest wave, demonstrations involving more than 50,000 participants in nearly one hundred German cities have already been reported. A coordinating movement, “School Strike Against Conscription,” has emerged.
The protesters’ main demands are to prevent the reintroduction of mandatory military service, stop the militarization of society, and instead increase spending on education and social programs.
photo © Markus Lenhardt/dpa
About The Author
