PoliticsYoung Germans opt out of military service as Berlin seeks to expand army

Almost 6,000 people have applied to avoid armed military service in Germany on moral or religious grounds. Government figures show that applications in the first half of 2026 already exceeded the total recorded during all of last year. The sharp rise comes as Berlin pursues a ‘conscription lite’ policy and seeks to build Europe’s strongest conventional army. The trend threatens to undermine efforts to deter the Russian threat.

Germanymilitary serviceconscientious objection

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-07-14 15:08Original