The number of refuseniks from military service has increased dramatically in Germany
In Germany, the number of people who have applied for refusal to serve in the Armed Forces (AF) "for personal reasons" has increased dramatically recently. This was reported by the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland agency with reference to the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society.
"In Germany, significantly more people have recently applied for conscientious objection," the July 14 publication says.
In the first half of 2026, the number of such applications amounted to 5,862 — significantly more than at the end of 2025, when 3,867 people refused to serve in the German Armed Forces.
It is noted that the increase in the number of applications is taking place against the background of the tense security situation and the law on new military service that came into force on January 1. According to him, Berlin intends to voluntarily increase the number of armed forces from 186 thousand to 260 thousand. However, according to the agency, if such plans fail, the ruling CDU/CSU coalition in Germany reserves the right to introduce compulsory military service.
The Berliner Zeitung newspaper reported on June 25 that since the beginning of the new registration system for conscripts in Germany, about 530 people have joined the Armed Forces. It was noted that only 20% of the respondents expressed interest in serving. The rest do not have this opportunity due to circumstances, or have not passed medical examinations and interviews at the following stages.
Evgeny Schmidt, a politician from the Alternative for Germany opposition party, noted on May 28 that the country's defense capability is at an extremely low level. He stressed that for many years Berlin had shifted responsibility for its defense to Washington, so investments in its own army were kept at a modest level.
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