Thousands protest in Germany against new military bill

Thousands of students and citizens protested across Germany on Friday, December 5, against a new military bill passed by the Bundestag. 

The legislation aims to strengthen Germany’s armed forces as part of NATO’s broader plan to boost defense capabilities, sparking nationwide debate.

The demonstrations, organized under the banner “School Strike Against Military Service,” took place in over 90 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Bochum, Bielefeld, Münster, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart.

The bill is part of NATO’s effort to increase collective defense amid concerns over the Russia–Ukraine conflict. In June, NATO leaders, responding to a U.S. proposal, pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of national GDP by 2035.

Germany’s law aims to expand the Bundeswehr from 183,000 to 260,000 active personnel and increase reserves to 200,000 by 2035. It introduces voluntary military service with benefits and allows mandatory conscription if approved by parliament. Males born after January 1, 2008, must undergo medical evaluation. Both men and women turning 18 can volunteer, though compulsory reporting applies only to men.

The Bundestag approved the bill with 323 votes in favor, 272 against, and 1 abstention. It now moves to the Bundesrat for final approval and, if passed, will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Other NATO countries, including France, Italy, Belgium, and Nordic and Baltic states, are also increasing military recruitment. Germany’s Chief of Defense, Carsten Breuer, warned Russia could develop the capability to attack NATO within five to eight years. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a limited reinstatement of military service, emphasizing preparedness as the key to deterrence.

Source: Aljazeera