Amid discussions about a possible return of compulsory military service, more young Germans are applying for conscientious objector status. According to the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions, 2,656 applications were filed in the first quarter of 2026. In comparison, there were 2,998 applications in all of 2024 and 3,867 in 2025. If the trend continues, 2026 could see the highest level since conscription was suspended in 2011.
At the same time, some applicants have reversed earlier decisions. There were 781 such cases last year and 233 in the first quarter of this year. Bavarian state premier Markus Söder has called for the reintroduction of compulsory military conscription. A reform that took effect in January introduces mandatory screening for young men born in 2008 or later, aimed at boosting voluntary military recruitment. Parliament would be able to activate compulsory service if recruitment targets are missed.
Meanwhile, Germany's military spending has surged by more than a fifth, reaching €97 billion (about $114 billion) in 2025. A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says the 24% increase made Germany the world's fourth-largest defense spender. Only China, Russia and the United States are spending more. Global military spending hit a record high of about $2.89 trillion in 2025, with a 2.9% rise. SIPRI said the main driver was a 14% increase in Europe, marking the fastest annual growth in Central and Western Europe since the end of the Cold War.
Germany has now recorded three straight years of double-digit growth, spending 2.3% of GDP on defense — exceeding NATO's 2% benchmark for the first time since 1990. Berlin aims to raise that to 3.5% by 2029. European NATO members together spent $559 billion in 2025.
Russia has summoned Germany's ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff over alleged contacts between German politicians and terrorist groups. Lambsdorff said he would comply with the summons but considered it unlikely that the Russian side would be able to substantiate its allegations. Relations between Germany and Russia have been strained for years.
Source: www.dw.com