Germany sees 45,000 students protest mandatory military service

Over 45,000 to 50,000 students across German cities took to the streets on May 7, 2026, protesting a new defence policy that would re‑introduce compulsory military service and related health checks. Organisers of the "School Strike Against Conscription" movement, represented by university student Hannes Kramer, said the law forces young men to submit suitability surveys, undergo mandatory health examinations and obtain army permission for long overseas trips. They condemned the government's plan to boost defence spending by €779 billion.

Demonstrations were held in Berlin (≈10,000), Hamburg (≈6,000), Cologne (≈700) and other cities, with support from teachers, parents, unions such as GEW and student bodies in several states. Protesters demanded the repeal of the Military Service Modernisation Act, an end to Bundeswehr recruitment events in schools, and called for “No to compulsory military service, war never again!” A further nationwide strike is planned for mid‑June on "Veterans' Day." Kramer said, "The government and industry are preparing for war, and young people are being treated as expendable food."