How Europeans are saying no to rearmament and conscription

How Europeans are saying no to rearmament and conscription Submitted by John Rees on Fri, 05/15/2026 - 16:11 As governments increasingly pursue militaristic policies, protests and anti-war messaging are spreading across the continent Holding signs that say 'no to wars', protesters take part in an anti-war demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on 3 October 2024 (Ralf Hirschberger/AFP) On Half of young people aged 16-29 would never fight for Britain if war broke out, a new opinion poll   has revealed. The pollsters summarised young people's attitudes as being "why fight for a country that isn't fighting for you?" The poll is not a one-off. Previous surveys, including a   YouGov poll two years ago, have revealed the same sentiment. No wonder governments across Europe are now reintroducing conscription or other schemes to push new recruits into the armed forces, such as France’s strategy to encourage young people to volunteer for paid military training. Belgium is rolling out a similar plan, while the Netherlands has openly mulled bringing back the draft . Late last year, Germany also introduced voluntary military service, but that could shift towards compulsory service if the security situation changes - even though only 32 percent   of young people in the country support the idea.  Militarisation in Germany has   gone so far   that all military-age men now have to apply for permission to stay abroad for more than three months, no matter whether it is for study, a job or a holiday. In the UK, conscription was part of the Tory  manifesto   in the last election, and a thin-end-of-the-wedge scheme   has now been introduced b...

Original source: Middle East Eye