Overview
- Lawmakers approved the Wehrdienst-Modernisierungsgesetz in a roll-call vote, 323 in favor, 272 against, with one abstention.
- The reform restores mandatory questionnaires for those born from 2008 and reintroduces compulsory medical examination for men, with service initially described as voluntary.
- If recruitment targets are missed, the Bundestag could activate a demand-based draft, potentially using a lottery selection.
- Organizers reported actions in nearly 90 cities as thousands of young people demonstrated; police counts included about 1,400 in Berlin at midday and roughly 1,700 in Hamburg versus up to 5,000 claimed by organizers.
- Education authorities warned that participation during class time would be marked as unexcused, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly welcomed the protests as a necessary discussion.