Schools in Germany are closed today in protest against the possible return of compulsory military service. More than 100 protests are planned in various cities across the country, including Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel and Frankfurt.
The protests follow the adoption of a new law aimed at increasing the number of soldiers through voluntary service, while in the event of a deterioration in the security situation or a lack of volunteers, parliament could reinstate a form of compulsory service.
Under the new rules, 18-year-olds will be asked to complete a questionnaire about their interest in the military, while men will also undergo a medical examination to assess their suitability for service. The move has sparked backlash among young men, particularly after reports that some of them have been called up for examination despite stating they are not interested in joining the military.
Germany's compulsory military service was suspended in 2011, and the current government aims to strengthen the Bundeswehr after Russia's war in Ukraine. The German army currently has around 186,000 soldiers and plans to increase that number to 260,000 by the beginning of the next decade, in addition to around 200,000 reservists.
