Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to knowA bill to be put forward by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius would allow the Cabinet, with parliamentary agreement, to call up conscripts if a situation arises that requires a rapid boost to the country’s armed forces, media have reported.
The bill is being seen as a compromise between some conservatives’ calls for the return of compulsory military service, which was suspended in Germany in 2011, and the opposition of many leftist lawmakers to such a move.
The German government is planning to have a new military service scheme in place by 2026 in response to the changed security situation in Europe largely due to Russia’s territorial aggression.
Meanwhile, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is in Latvia for talks focusing on the security situation in the Baltic region, which would seem particularly under threat from Moscow’s imperialist ambitions.
Below, you can read a roundup of news, analysis and background from Germany on Tuesday, July 8.
Skip next section Germany summons China ambassador over laser incidentJuly 8, 2025
Germany summons China ambassador over laser incidentGermany has accused the Chinese military of targeting a German aircraft with a laser as the aircraft took part in a EU security operation and summoned China’s ambassador over the incident.
“Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,” the Foreign Ministry wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
No further information was immediately available.
The aircraft was involved in the EU’s ASPIDES mission, which aims to help protect freedom of navigation and maritime security, especially for commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf region.
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6wL
Skip next section Flights ever more expensive from German airports — analysisJuly 8, 2025
Flights ever more expensive from German airports — analysisPrices for air passengers traveling from airports in Germany within Europe are continuing to rise, even those for budget airlines, according to an analysis by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
The average cost now of a one-way tickets without luggage is between just under €67 ($78) and about €130, DLR said, as compared with average prices of between €66 and €110 a year ago.
Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings is the most expensive provider, charging an average of €130 for a one-way flight, up from €110 last year.
The analysis showed that advance planning is of advantage, with bookings made three months ahead costing in the range of €46 to €90, while those at short notice cost between €119 to €169.
The factors driving the price increases are a continuing shortage of flights, high taxes and fees, according to the analysis.
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6pO
Skip next section Most people in Germany want ban on private fireworks — surveyJuly 8, 2025
Most people in Germany want ban on private fireworks — surveyAltogether 59% of people living in Germany would like to see a ban on private fireworks similar to the one set to be introduced in the neighboring Netherlands, a survey released on Tuesday showed.
The survey by the polling institute Forsa and commissioned by the Stern magazine
showed that women are more in favor of such a ban than men (67% to 51%) and that a small majority (51%) of young men from the 18-29 age group oppose one.
Supporters of the far-left Left Party were the most likely to back a ban, with 86% in favor, while 60% of people who vote for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were against it.
The Netherlands will ban private individuals from setting off fireworks as of New Year 2026/2027.
The prohibition came partly in response to increasing violence in the country associated with New Year’s fireworks, including attacks on police officers, firefighters and emergency workers.
A number of people are also injured or even killed each year while setting off fireworks.
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6dF
Skip next section President Steinmeier talks security in Latvia on last day of Baltic tripJuly 8, 2025
President Steinmeier talks security in Latvia on last day of Baltic tripGerman President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is wrapping up a three-day trip to the Baltic region with talks in the Latvian capital, Riga.
He is set to meet Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics and Prime Minister Evika Silina for discussions that are expected to center on the security situation in the region against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
During his stay in Riga, Steinmeier is also due to visit the Braunschweig, a German corvette currently stationed in the city as it participates in the US-led Baltic Operations exercise.
Latvia, a former Soviet republic, shares the fear of other Baltic states that it could become the target of Russia’s expansionist policies under President Vladimir Putin.
The country is a member of both the EU and NATO.
On Sunday, Steinmeier was in Lithuania as the country celebrated its national day.
Among other things, he visited the headquarters of the Armored Brigade 45 (Panzerbrigade 45) in the capital, Vilnius, which was activated in April of this year as the first German brigade-sized unit to be based abroad permanently since World War II.
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6cj
Skip next section Military service bill foresees emergency draft optionJuly 8, 2025
Military service bill foresees emergency draft optionA draft bill devised by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius would allow the Cabinet and parliament to call up conscripts in certain security situations, media have reported.
Such conscription could occur “when the defense situation requires it” and there are not enough volunteers, the news magazine Der Spiegel said, citing the 50-page text of the bill.
The bill also aims to make voluntary service more attractive, with volunteers receiving more than €2,000 ($2,350) a month as official short-service soldiers, Spiegel said, an 80% increase over current pay rates.
According to the magazine, Pistorius hopes this will encourage volunteers to stay on after the basic training has ended, as well as lead to a doubling of the number of reservists to 200,000.
The bill does not stipulate how long basic training is to last, but rumor has it that a period of six months is under consideration, the Spiegel said.
Under new NATO guidelines, the German Bundeswehr would need altogether 460,000 troops in the case of a conflict.
Currently, Germany has more than 182,000 active soldiers and more than 49,000 active reservists. Pistorius would like to see at least 60,000 more active soldiers and altogether 200,000 reservists.
Many in Pistorius’ Social Democratic Party (SPD), particularly its youth wing, oppose the reintroduction of compulsory military service that is advocated by a number of conservative politicians, and the bill is being seen as a compromise between the two viewpoints.
Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011.
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6XS
Skip next section Welcome to our coverageJuly 8, 2025
Welcome to our coverageEinen wunderschönen Guten Morgen from the DW newsroom in Bonn.
Some of Tuesday’s news from Germany relates to the security situation amid Russia’s growing territorial aggression, with a new military service scheme on the way and the president in Latvia to talk defense matters.
But this DW blog will also bring you up-to-date news, analysis and explainers on other stories large and small from Europe’s biggest economy.
We wish you enjoyable reading!
https://p.dw.com/p/4x6YA
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