Thousands of students and adults in Germany protested against the military service law adopted by the government, expressing their disagreement with the obligation.

On Friday, in numerous cities across Germany, thousands of students and adults took to the streets to protest against the new military service law recently adopted by the Bundestag. This law, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026, provides for an initially voluntary military service model but requires young men to complete a mandatory questionnaire and assessment for recruitment.

Participation in the protests was significant, with around 3000 demonstrators in Berlin and thousands more in cities like Hamburg, Dresden, and Munich. Young people expressed concerns about the obligation of military service, emphasizing that it could destroy their dreams and careers. The protest messages included calls for a future without mandatory military service, highlighting the tension between generations and the political pressure felt by young people.