Overview

• The Bundeswehr held its first public oath-taking ceremony outside Berlin, with 230 recruits pledging service in Hannover.
• Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the importance of showing citizens who protects them and aims to hold future ceremonies across Germany.
• Protests, led by the Left Party, criticized the event as a militarization effort and accused Pistorius of using it for political gain.
• Pistorius defended the right to protest while asserting the need for a strong military to maintain peace and security.
• The event included discussions with students on the proposed new military service, highlighting the need for preparedness and deterrence.