Germany news: Rise in young people refusing military service
· DWAmid talk of a possible return of compulsory military service, more young Germans are applying for conscientious objector status. Meanwhile, Germany has become the world's fourth-largest military spender. DW has more.
- Germany ranked fourth globally in military spending behind the United States, China and Russia
- Military spending by Berlin has risen 24%
- There were 3,867 applications for conscientious objector status in 2025
- A new law on military service is thought to have driven the significant increase
Here are the latest headlines from and about Germany on Monday, April, 27, 2026: