The German parliament backed a move to introduce voluntary military service and allow Chancelor Merz, of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to further plans for militarisation and for the creation of the largest army in Europe. In this , Merz and the CDU were ably assisted by the Social Democratic Party, (SPD) a junior partner in keeping the CDU in power. This indicates once again the complete collapse of social-democratic parties on a global level, as they turn to more openly anti-working class and militarist positions, as with Labour in Britain.
It is intended to send out a questionnaire to all 18-year-olds in Germany, to check to see if they are suitable for military service. This is mandatory for males, and voluntary for women.
Since the end of the Nazi regime in 1945, there has been a persistent stance against militarism in Germany, so this represents a huge shift.
It was not surprising that this met with horror and disgust among young people. In response, there were significant strikes by school students in 90 cities throughout Germany on December 5th. 55,000 walked out of schools, with 3,000 in Berlin,400 in Essen and in Nuremburg, 1,000 plus in Munich, and 1,500 in Stuttgart. This was despite threats by the CDU Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, that walking out on strike would be deemed as unexcused absences at schools and would affect end of year grades, and despite heavy police presences.
Indeed, school students went beyond opposition to this move, expressing opposition to cuts in education and public services, and the decision to rearm Germany on a huge scale.
Both the CDU and the SPD, scoffed at and ridiculed the protests, with the SPD calling this movement “pure populism, or simply nonsense,” and Pistorius producing a sneering video.
Pistorius has warned that if not enough young people are recruited via this questionnaire, then conscription would be introduced.
Many teachers have shown their opposition to these plans, and the demonstrations were also joined by university students. They brought with them concerns about cuts to university budgets, the increasing shoddiness of their learning conditions, and the flourishing of military research programmes at universities.
In response to the CDU/SPD drive to war preparedness, school students, university students, and workers must come together to develop a mass movement against conscription and militarism.
source: https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2025/12/17/german-youth-resist-conscription/