Germany News: Military conscientious objectors increase

According to data from the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFZA), applications for conscientious objection to military service have increased sharply.

A BAFzA spokesperson told Germany’s RND media group that 5,862 applications were received during the first half of 2026.

In 2025 alone, 3,867 applications were received while in 2024, 2,998 applications were received.

The latest figures come after the introduction of a new military service law that took effect in January.

It introduces mandatory screening for youth born in 2008 or later with the aim of promoting voluntary military recruitment. Parliament will be able to activate compulsory service if recruitment targets are missed.

Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011 but is enshrined in the constitution.

The BAFzA stated that the right to refuse military service on grounds of conscience is protected under Article 4 of the Basic Law.

According to expert estimates from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there were about 5,120 deaths in June.

According to these figures, more than 4,300 people died in the last week of June alone, i.e. between June 22 and 28.

The heat wave brought new record highs to Germany and there appears to be a correlated trend of increased deaths during that specific period with rising mercury.

On Tuesday, the Federal Statistics Office announced that 23,900 people died during the week of June 22-28, about 7,100 more deaths than two weeks earlier.

According to the Federal Statistics Office, the death rate in the second quarter of 2026 was in line with and even below the average of the previous four years.

Germany, along with much of Western Europe, was thrashed by a heat wave in late June, causing temperatures to climb above 40 C (104 F) in many areas.

Good morning! From a warm DW newsroom here in Bonn.

We’re following the main stories and trends coming out of Germany this Tuesday morning, with a federal agency reporting a sharp increase in conscientious objection to military service.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has significantly influenced the government’s position on security and the need for a state of readiness in defense matters.

But looking at the latest data, this has clearly become a cause for concern among those who may ultimately be affected by any changes to the laws governing compulsory military service.

There was also a significant increase in deaths recorded during the June heat wave as temperature records fell amid the scorching heat.

We’re tracking these and other stories. Thank you for joining us.