Report: Number of conscientious objectors in Germany rises

As the political discussion over whether to reactivate the draft in Germany heats up, a growing number of people are applying for conscientious objector status, the RND media group reported on Friday.

As of June 30, 1,363 applications for recognition as conscientious objectors had been submitted to the federal office which decides on such applications, an agency spokeswoman told RND.

In all of last year there were 2,241 such applications, compared to 1,079 in 2023 and 951 in 2022.

Michael Schulze von Glaßer, the political director of the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFGVK), told RND that this shows many are against the draft.

"The increasing number of conscientious objectors reflects the justified concern of many people about a potential reintroduction of compulsory service. It is a clear signal against the reactivation of conscription."

Conscription only suspended

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has presented a draft law for a new military service based on voluntary participation and attractive conditions to encourage more young people to join the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr.

However, calls for the reactivation of conscription have been made by members of the conservative Christian Democratic Union party, leader of the ruling coalition in Germany.

Conscription was suspended in 2011 but remains enshrined in the German constitution. Still, German law allows for potential conscripts to file a conscientious objection to military service.