Cologne in a frenzy of protest: Anti-war alliance calls for an end to compulsory military service!

Cologne in a frenzy of protest: Anti-war alliance calls for an end to compulsory military service!

Today around 70 people gathered in front of a Bundeswehr career center in Cologne to protest against the threatened reintroduction of compulsory military service. Organized by the anti-war alliance “Rheinmetall disarmen”, the action took place in a calm atmosphere, according to the police. The participants formed a sit-in in front of one of the access gates and made it unmistakably clear: “We are not ready for war!” This blockade marked the start of the planned “days of action” against conscription. A police spokesman said that the emergency services had “encircled” the protesters to prevent possible disruptions. The protest took place in the context of current political aspirations, as the federal government wanted to make decisions on a new military service on the same day, which further fueled the protesters. The building in which they demonstrated is where the Bundeswehr's central coordination of personnel planning takes place, which would also be responsible for recruiting if compulsory military service were reintroduced.

Armaments debate in Germany

The discussion about compulsory military service in Germany has gained new momentum since the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022. Against this background, Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new military service model in 2024. Society is torn between the desire for a strong Bundeswehr and criticism of political priorities, which are increasingly geared towards rearmament and militarization. According to the anti-war alliance, the planned increase in the defense budget to around 5% of gross domestic product will continue an alarming development. Especially next Saturday, August 30, 2025, there will be a strong focus on the arms industry in Cologne at the Heumarkt - financially, not only rearmament but also militarization will be addressed as a topic.

At the NATO summit it was decided that almost half of the federal budget should be earmarked for armaments and military structures. This means that social areas such as healthcare, childcare and municipal functions could suffer. Many people are expressing concerns about rising rents, longer working hours and job cuts. Political decision-makers, including Chancellor Merz, are calling on Germany to assume a military leadership role in Europe. But criticism is growing: voices for peace and protests against increasing militarization are often discredited.

The past of conscription

Conscription has a turbulent history in Germany. It was introduced in Prussia in 1813 and experienced numerous turning points, including the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War and its reintroduction by the Nazi regime in 1935. In the Federal Republic, conscription was introduced in 1956 as part of a democratically controlled system until it was suspended by Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg in 2011. The suspension had significant consequences: the number of troops fell to below 185,000 and the relationship between society and the Bundeswehr became weaker.

The current debate is complex. A new military service is to be implemented as a voluntary but mandatory prepared service from 2025, as planned by the federal government. Men must fill out a questionnaire, while women can volunteer. Despite the SPD's approval of the new model, there are considerable concerns among citizens who have lasting doubts about the Bundeswehr's fairness in military service and its training competence.

With all of these considerations, conscription is at a crucial turning point. The mix of voluntariness and a possible return to compulsory duty could increase social tensions. The pressure on the federal government continues to grow because both economic and logistical challenges must be overcome.

The protests and discussions clearly show that society is faced with the challenge of finding a balance between security and social values. Even if the plans for militarization appear to be irreversible, the resistance of citizens should not be underestimated.