German Parliament Approves Military Service Overhaul Amid Nationwide Protests

The German Bundestag, the lower house of the federal parliament, formally approved a significant legislative overhaul of its military service structure on Friday, December 5, 2025, passing the measure with a vote of 323 in favor, 272 against, and one abstention. This legislation, which stops short of fully reinstating mandatory conscription, is a direct policy response to escalating security concerns across Europe, particularly those stemming from the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, and aligns with broader NATO expectations for increased defense readiness among member states.

The reform is designed to address chronic personnel deficiencies within the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, which currently maintain approximately 184,000 active soldiers as of late 2025. The new dual-track system introduces mandatory administrative steps for a specific cohort: all men born on or after January 1, 2008, will be legally required to complete a questionnaire assessing their qualifications and willingness to serve, followed by a mandatory medical evaluation scheduled to commence on July 1, 2027. While women turning 18 will also receive the questionnaire, their participation in the service itself remains entirely voluntary, reflecting constitutional limitations on compelling women to serve with a weapon. The core service, initially voluntary for all, is slated to last a minimum of six months, with gross monthly compensation for volunteers starting at €2,600.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius championed the legislation as a decisive step for Germany's defense capability, emphasizing that NATO allies are closely observing Berlin's commitment to bolstering its forces. The ambitious personnel targets underpinning this reform aim for the Bundeswehr to expand to around 260,000 active soldiers and incorporate at least 200,000 reservists by 2035, establishing a total force capacity of approximately 460,000 in a crisis scenario. If voluntary enlistment proves insufficient to meet the required annual intake of roughly 20,000 new recruits, the government retains the mechanism of "needs-based conscription" (Bedarfswehrpflicht), which would necessitate a separate vote in the Bundestag and could involve selection via a lottery system. This legislative action marks the most significant shift toward mandatory service since the suspension of general conscription in 2011.

Coinciding with the parliamentary vote, widespread public opposition materialized, with approximately 3,000 individuals, predominantly students, protesting the legislation in Berlin on Friday, December 5, 2025. Demonstrations occurred in over 90 cities across Germany, organized under banners such as the 'School Strike Against Military Service.' Protesters articulated concerns that the government was prioritizing military rearmament over critical domestic investments in areas like pensions, climate action, and public education. This public sentiment is partially echoed in polling, where 63% of adults aged 18 to 29 reportedly reject compulsory service.

This policy pivot reflects a broader European trend as nations like France, Italy, and Belgium also intensify military recruitment efforts in response to the perceived threat environment. Germany’s top military official, Carsten Breuer, previously suggested that Moscow could be prepared to challenge NATO countries within a five-to-eight-year timeframe, a warning that has been used to justify the rearmament under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration. The legislation, which also updates counterintelligence powers for the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) to operate abroad, is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026, pending final ratification by the Bundesrat, the upper house representing the German states.