Young Germans opting out of military service as Berlin strives to boost army
Germany is seeing a significant increase in young men applying for conscientious objector status to avoid potential military service. This trend complicates government efforts to strengthen the Bundeswehr amid rising geopolitical tensions with Russia.
Why it matters
The rise in conscientious objection threatens Germany's strategic goal of building a robust conventional military force to deter regional threats.
Recruits take part in a training exercise with the G36 assault rifle at the Westfalen-Kaserne barracks of the Bundeswehr in Ahlen, western Germany./Getty Images Recruits take part in a training exercise with the G36 assault rifle at the Westfalen-Kaserne barracks of the Bundeswehr in Ahlen, western Germany./Getty Images Germany Young Germans opt out of military service as Berlin strives to boost army Almost 6,000 young men apply to be excluded on moral or religious grounds despite ‘conscription lite’ policy
Prefer the Guardian on Google The number of young men applying to be conscientious objectors and refuse armed military service in Germany has risen sharply this year, undermining a drive by Berlin to create Europe’s strongest conventional army and deter the Russian threat.
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