On Friday (December 5, 2025), large student demonstrations took place across several German cities, most notably Hamburg, against government plans to reintroduce compulsory military service in a new form.
Youth groups and student alliances called for a “school strike” to oppose the draft law, which stipulates that starting in 2026, mandatory questionnaires will be sent to all 18-year-olds as preparation for possible examinations and conscription if needed.
In Hamburg, hundreds of students gathered in Hachmannplatz in the morning, while a parallel march from the city’s university joined later in the day with unions such as DGB and Ver.di. . Organizers expected up to 1,700 participants.
Protesters carried banners denouncing the government’s plans, calling compulsory service a “restriction of youth freedom” and demanding a purely voluntary model.
School administrations warned that absence from classes would not be considered a legitimate strike, and participation in protests during school hours could be recorded as unexcused absence.
As protests spread across several states, politicians continue to debate the bill before it is put to a parliamentary vote, amid clear divisions between supporters who see it as necessary to strengthen the army and opponents who view it as a return to “an era the youth do not want to repeat.”
Sources - Agencies
