Over 100,000 took the streets across Germany on Saturday, protesting the potential return of compulsory military service. The demonstrations also demanded greater investment in education and healthcare, calling attention to spending cuts and rising cost of living. Youth initiative Gen Z Regelt put out the call for demonstrations, and over 30 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Cologne, participated. Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011, but under recruitment rules introduced in January, 18-year-old German men must now complete a questionnaire assessing their suitability and willingness to serve. Restoring compulsory call-ups would require further legislation if Germany cannot recruit enough personnel.

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