Overview
- Lawmakers passed the Wehrdienst bill by 323 to 272, setting entry into force for January 1, 2026 and cohort-wide medical screening for men born in 2008 starting July 1, 2027.
- Service at arms remains voluntary for now, with a Bundestag-enabled needs-based draft and possible lottery foreseen if recruitment targets are missed.
- The mandatory screening will be centrally conducted by Bundeswehr medical staff with hearing and vision tests, blood and urine (including drug screening), height and weight checks, a full physical exam, and classification into T1–T6 suitability levels.
- Students rallied for a ‘school strike against conscription’ in many cities, an action backed by Die Linke and BSW and criticized by CDU/CSU figures citing compulsory schooling.
- Die Linke’s announced abstention makes passage of the rent package likely, as Merz and Unionsfraktionschef Jens Spahn push for a self-sufficient tally despite dissent from the Union’s Junge Gruppe.