‘Mr Merz should go to the front himself and risk his own life’ — Germans protest military service

Under the draft military service plan, the German government would survey all 18-year-olds on their willingness to serve, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisting the scheme will start on a voluntary basis but could shift to compulsory service if needed.

The proposal is part of Berlin’s push to expand the armed forces to around 460,000 personnel, including reservists.