German Youth Rise Up Against Conscription and War
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From Berlin, Munich and dresden to Dortmund, Essen and Stuttgart, tens of thousands of young people took to the streets on December 5 in more than 90 cities to protest against the reintroduction of conscription.The demonstrations were a powerful expression of the enormous opposition to German militarism and the danger of a third world war.
The nationwide school strike was directed against the “Military Service Modernisation Act,” which was passed the same day in the federal parliament (Bundestag) with the votes of the governing parties,the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social union (CDU/CSU). From the start of 2026, all 18-year-old men will be subject to compulsory registration and medical examination, and as soon as the number of “volunteers” is insufficient, thay will also face compulsory call-up to the military.
In Saxony alone, around 2,000 pupils took part in the demonstrations. “Up with education, down with armaments,” they chanted in Dresden. “We are not cannon fodder!” and “Send [chancellor] Merz to the front” appeared on hand-made placards in Essen. One slogan recalled the xenophobic agitation of the chancellor aimed at migrants: “Too bad for the urban habitat, but good enough for the front.”
most participants linked the fight against conscription with the broader struggle against militarism and war, and some also addressed the underlying cause of this development in capitalism, even if there was often uncertainty in assessing current military conflicts and the active role of the German government as a warmonger.
But many of the organisers involved have done everything they can to restrict the protests to a rejection of “forced service” and to exclude the central issue: the government’s preparations for war.This is hardly surprising. Among the organisers are the youth wings of the same parties that support rearmament and voted for the trillion-euro war credits: the Green Youth, the Young Socialists (Jusos) of the SPD, and the Left Party’s Linksjugend.The trade unions Verdi (service sector) and GEW (education and science), which verbally expressed support for the school strike, have also come out in favour of rearmament.
At the protests, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), by contrast, emphasised that the reintroduction of conscription was directly bound up with the return of German militarism. Their leaflet, distributed across Germany, stated:
The return of conscription is part of the militarisation of society as a whole. Eighty years after the end of the second world War, the German government is once again preparing to march an entire generation into the barracks and the trenches to sacrifice young lives for the economic interests of the ruling class.The CDU/SPD coalition is driving the rearmament of the Bundeswehr forward at breakneck speed.
Capitalism, the leaflet continued, was once again leading to barbarism and war, as it did in the twentieth century. Therefore, the only realistic viewpoint for stopping conscription and war is the international mobilisation of the working class based on a socialist programme. such a movement must orient itself against all capitalist parties, which are all driving militarism forward.
Representatives of the IYSSE discussed this perspective with striking pupils in Berlin, Essen, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Munich.
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In Berlin, the state government of the SPD and CDU sent a letter to all school heads instructing them to “inform” pupils that participation in the protests would count as unauthorised absence.
German Youth Protest against Reintroduction of Conscription
Essen & Stuttgart – Demonstrations took place across Germany on December 5, 2025, as thousands of young people protested against the reintroduction of conscription. The protests, largely organized by students, voiced opposition to war, militarism, and the capitalist system they believe fuels both.
In Essen, approximately 2,000 students demonstrated, voicing fears about the future and the motivations behind the renewed push for conscription.Blagovest and Leon, vocational college students from Gladbeck, travelled specifically to attend the exhibition. Blagovest, 20, believes the reason for reintroducing conscription lies largely in the fact that politicians and banks want to profit more from war. Leon, 18, said the establishment parties offered no choice: “The same people are always at the top. No matter which party it is,they always do the same thing. Something worse always happens that goes against humanity. And that makes you very afraid.” Leon stressed: “It is about our future as humanity.” If there were a major war, everyone would die-“no matter yoru skin colour or whom you married”.
In Stuttgart, around 1,500 pupils took part in the protest against conscription. Many highlighted the link between war and capitalism. One placard read: “Do not let yourselves be bought; you are not politicians,” and another: “Conscription? Muster yourselves rather.” A banner at the front of the march read: “Red Front, not Eastern Front.”
Several young people spoke not only against conscription but also against the horrendous rearmament programme and Germany’s role in the war in Ukraine and in Gaza.Valentin, a 17-year-old student, emphasised the connection between war and capitalism: “I do not want to die for the capitalist interests of a few.” On the perspective of building an international anti-war movement of the working class, he said: “Yes, I think that is good, that would be critically important.”
International Working-Class Action Key to Defeating Conscription, Say Youth Activists
Youth activists Fabién and Moritz argue that effectively opposing conscription requires a broad, international movement rooted in the working class, extending beyond student protests. They emphasize the need to mobilize all oppressed groups and connect the fight against conscription to a broader struggle against capitalism,militarism,and repression. This perspective, shared on December 9, 2025, frames recent school strikes as a starting point for wider political awakening and workers’ protests.
The limits of Youth-Focused Resistance
Fabién and Moritz contend that limiting the anti-conscription fight to young people alone will ultimately prove insufficient. They highlight the necessity of building a coalition that includes “all oppressed layers of the population.” This broader approach acknowledges that conscription,and the militarism it supports,disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and relies on systemic inequalities.
Connecting Conscription to Systemic Issues
Both activists link conscription to the underlying capitalist system, arguing it is a product of inherent drives towards conflict and exploitation. Fabién specifically calls for overcoming this system to effectively counter militarism and repression.This perspective positions opposition to conscription not merely as a protest against a specific policy, but as part of a larger struggle for social and economic justice.
Building on Student Activism
The activists view the recent wave of school strikes as a positive development, but emphasize they represent only “the first step of political awakening.” Moritz stresses the crucial task of transforming this initial momentum into a “workers’ protest,” suggesting a need to broaden the base of support and engage organized labor in the fight against conscription. This call to action highlights the potential power of a coordinated movement involving students, workers, and other affected groups.
The Importance of International Solidarity
The activists’ call for an “international movement” underscores the global nature of conscription and militarism. Conscription policies are implemented in various countries, frequently enough linked to international conflicts and geopolitical strategies. A unified, international response is seen as essential to effectively challenge these policies and build a more peaceful world.
Key Takeaways:
* Broad Coalition: Effective opposition to conscription requires a coalition extending beyond youth, including all oppressed groups.
* Systemic critique: Conscription is linked to and fueled by the capitalist system, necessitating a broader struggle for social and economic justice.
* Workers’ Involvement: Student activism is a starting point, but must evolve into a broader workers’ protest.
* International Solidarity: A global, coordinated movement is crucial to challenge conscription and militarism effectively.
This analysis reflects the growing sentiment that addressing conscription requires a fundamental shift in power dynamics and a commitment to international solidarity. The activists’ call for a working-class-led movement signals a potential new direction in the fight against militarism and for a more just and peaceful future.