More than 50,000 pupils expected to strike over German rearmament policy
Organisers of nationwide protest say its aim is to stop the government turning young Germans into ‘cannon fodder’
TL;DR
- Tens of thousands of German pupils are participating in a nationwide school strike to protest the government's rearmament policy.
- Organizers express fear that young people are being prepared to become 'cannon fodder' and that the government's actions echo historical militarization.
- The protest coincides with the anniversary of the end of World War II, emphasizing the consequences of war and rampant militarization.
- Changes to military service policy include mandatory questionnaires and medical tests for 18-year-olds, with potential for compulsory service if recruitment targets are not met.
- Demonstrators criticize the significant increase in defense spending while the education system remains underfunded, questioning the country's priorities.