A spokesperson from Germany’s Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions confirmed the figures, noting a continued rise in objection requests over the past three years. In 2024, a total of 2,241 people applied for exemption, compared to 1,079 in 2023 and 951 in 2022.

Michael Schulze von Glaßer, political director of the German Peace Society, said the trend reflects growing concerns over the government’s defense policies. “This is a clear signal against the reactivation of conscription,” he told Deutschland media outlets.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has proposed a new voluntary military service model to boost recruitment but acknowledged the ongoing political push from some parties, particularly within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to reinstate mandatory service.

Legal Framework And Political Debate

Although conscription in Germany was suspended in 2011, the constitutional right to refuse armed service on grounds of conscience remains intact under Article 4, paragraph 3 of the German Basic Law. The legal basis allows citizens to formally declare their refusal to bear arms even without an active draft policy.

Debates over reinstating conscription have gained momentum in recent years, especially in light of Europe’s shifting security environment and military preparedness concerns. The increase in objection applications suggests public skepticism toward mandatory enlistment and government efforts to reframe military service.