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Germany Observes First Veteranentag With Ceremonial Honors and Protests

The event reflects a wider effort to embed the Bundeswehr in public life as Germany pursues increased military readiness.

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Overview

  • Berlin’s ceremony featured Mayor Kai Wegner presenting a ceremonial banner to Sanitätsregiment 1 at the Blücher-Kaserne in Spandau.
  • Festivities at more than 100 venues nationwide included military parades, reservist oaths, bike tours and public concerts.
  • Performances by Bryan Adams and Michael Schulte accompanied speeches from Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on the Reichstag stage.
  • Anti-militarist groups held protests in Berlin and other cities, denouncing the gathering as a promotion of militarism.
  • The inaugural observance marks a shift in German military culture and supports plans to expand active personnel to 203,000 and reservists to 300,000 by 2030.