Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, in a move aimed at boosting national defenses after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This marks a significant shift in Germany's approach to its military, following Chancellor Friedrich Merz's push to create Europe's strongest conventional army.
The new policy indicates that all 18-year-olds in Germany will soon receive a questionnaire from January 2026 to gauge their interest in joining the armed forces. This requirement will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
In light of this change, students across Germany have announced strikes in up to 90 cities to protest the legislation.
Many young Germans either oppose the new law or express skepticism, with protest organizers stating, We don't want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill. They argue that War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods, highlighting widespread dissent against the military service.
In Hamburg alone, around 1,500 protesters are expected to participate, prompting school headteachers to caution parents against taking their children out of school for the events.
German MPs voted by 323 votes to 272 to support the reform, situating Germany alongside several European nations revisiting military service policies. For instance, France has initiated plans for 10 months of voluntary military training for young adults.
The government has claimed that military service will remain voluntary for the foreseeable future, but starting in July 2027, all 18-year-old men will undergo mandatory medical exams to determine their fitness for possible military service. This initiative aligns with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius's assertion that evaluating operational capability in potential recruits is vital for national security.
The Bundeswehr currently comprises about 182,000 troops, with ambitions to expand by an additional 20,000 over the next year and target 260,000 by the early 2030s, thereby fulfilling NATO commitments to strengthen Germany's defense posture.
While measures are currently aimed at keeping military service voluntary, should volunteer numbers dwindle or security conditions become dire, the Bundestag may consider reinstating compulsory service measures.
Germany's military history has shifted dramatically since the end of compulsory service in 2011, and with current geopolitical tensions, Merz's government faces pressure from NATO allies, particularly the US, to bolster defense funding.
Incentives for military service have been set at €2,600 monthly, aiming to attract volunteers in a competitive labor market.
Additionally, the Bundestag's voting session focused on a contentious pensions reform bill that aims to maintain state pensions until 2031, a critical component of the governing coalition's agenda.
A parliamentary crisis was narrowly averted when the far-left opposition party chose to abstain from voting, easing tensions within Merz's coalition.
