Thousands of German students staged nationwide protests against expanded military recruitment plans, warning against any return to mandatory conscription.
Thousands of German students skipped classes on Thursday to protest a stepped-up military recruitment drive, amid fears it could lead to renewed conscription.
Around 3,000 gathered at Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, with similar demonstrations nationwide. “I don’t see why anyone should have to go to the front lines for politicians,” 15-year-old Alex Krzeszka told AFP.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to expand the Bundeswehr in response to security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While conscription remains suspended, some lawmakers question whether recruitment targets can be met voluntarily. “Reintroducing conscription is nothing other than rearmament,” student organiser Leon Reinemann said.