Germany's parliament approves voluntary military service for 18-year-olds, students protest

 

 

 

Germany's parliament has approved a voluntary military service for 18-year-olds. Students have come out in protest. The German parliament (Bundestag) has voted to implement a voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds with the aim of increasing the country's defense capabilities. This measure comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's goal is to build the strongest conventional army in Europe. This move is part of this goal. This move is seen as a significant change in Germany's military approach. From January 2026, all German citizens aged 18 will be sent a questionnaire asking if they are interested in joining the armed forces. Filling out this form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.

Young people and students in Germany are strongly opposed to the new law. Schoolchildren in 90 cities across the country have announced they will take part in the strike to protest the move. They are not interested in the drill and obedience that has kept them locked in barracks for six months of their lives. They do not want to be trained and learn to kill, say those leading the student protests. "War offers no hope for the future, it only destroys our livelihood," they added. Around 1,500 people are expected to take part in the protest in the city of Hamburg alone. Headteachers have warned parents not to send their students to the strike.