Youth and student organizations have called for a nationwide day of protest against the federal government’s military service plans on Friday. On that day, the Bundestag voted on the planned military service law. Two school strikes against compulsory military service are to take place in Berlin, with a total of 3,000 participants expected, according to a police spokesman.
The organizing alliance is supported by School strike against conscription, among others, peace organizations, the education union GEW and the BSW, according to Deutschlandfunk. Organizers report around 90 strike committees already established in several cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Münster and Rostock.
“Against any planning for war”
The International Youth Association Berlin published a call on Instagram stating: “We are resolute against conscription and also against any rearmament and preparation for war, as we do not want to give our lives for the profits of corporations!” they added that those who have completed military service could be drafted in the event of war.
The coalition factions agreed on a draft law in mid-November, especially against the background of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, which is intended to make the army more combat-ready again through structural reform. The draft is due on December 5th.