German students strike against military service
The gist
Around 45,000 students walked out across some 100 German cities on Friday against possible conscription.
The dispute centers on medical summonses sent to men who showed no interest.
How it unfolded
- 2011Then-Chancellor Angela Merkel ended compulsory military service in Germany.
- Jan 2026A new law introducing voluntary military service came into force, aimed at recruiting volunteers to increase the number of soldiers.
- since Jul 2026Around 1,000 18-year-old men who showed no interest in the army have had the medical exam, according to a Defence Ministry spokesperson.