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Major anti-war protests are planned in Germany for the next couple of weeks.

More than 10,000 people gathered in front of the world-famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin already on September 13 under the rallying cry, “Stop the genocide in Gaza.”

Russia’s unlawful war against Ukraine also brought people out to the demonstration.

The most prominent speaker present was politician Sahra Wagenknecht, one of the organizers of the demonstration and the founder of the political party, the economically left-wing, politically conservative Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance.

Many well-known artists also took to the stage, including actor Dieter Hallervorden, musician Peter Maffay, and rappers Massiv and Bausa.

The very diverse group was united in its clear message to the federal government: “Provide active and meaningful support for peace negotiations in both the Middle East and Ukraine.”

Demonstrators also called for all arms deliveries to war zones to be stopped.

“We are all here because we are raising our voices against the inhumane wars in this world,” said Wagenknecht. “We also condemn the terrible massacre carried out by Hamas and the hostage-taking.”

But none of this justifies “indiscriminately bombing, murdering, starving, and displacing two million people in the Gaza Strip, half of whom are children,” said the politician.

For peace negotiations, against arms deliveries

Could this be the start of a new peace movement capable of mobilizing the masses?

German history offers many possible parallels: like in the 1980s, when the fear of nuclear war drew half a million protesters to Hofgarten Park in Bonn, in the western part of what was then still a divided Germany.

Or in 2003, when crowds just as large took to the streets of Berlin to protest against the Iraq War.

Jannis Grimm believes that there is the possibility of a new, powerful movement, but thinks it is unlikely at the moment.

Grimm is a peace and conflict researcher at the Free University of Berlin and is currently watching the emergence of many very different initiatives and alliances.

However, he said in an interview with DW, they still lack a shared goal.

“This is in contrast to what was happening during the mobilization against the Iraq War, for example, or even during the peace movement before then. At the moment, it’s still relatively fragmented. But that doesn’t mean it can’t develop further,” says Grimm.

Sahra Wagenknecht is the most prominent and most controversial figure of the movement.

In 2023, one year after the start of the war in Ukraine, she organized a rally together with women’s rights activist Alice Schwarzer.

Critics accused the two of being too sympathetic to Russia or even to President Vladimir Putin.

This time around, Wagenknecht’s rally is once again attracting criticism.

Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, has accused her of fueling “hatred of Israel in Germany” with her “rather populist stance.”

Jan van Aken, co-chairman of the socialist Left Party, did not go that far, but he did criticize the demonstration in an interview with DW: “I believe that political work must involve as many people as possible. And for me, simply focusing on a few names is not political work.”

At their demo in Berlin on September 27, Van Aken and his party hope to do things differently and, in his view, better: “We have formed an alliance with non-governmental organizations and Palestinian organizations. We have to bring everyone together: critical Israelis, Jewish Israelis.”

The debate on compulsory military service mobilizes young people

Whether this approach will be successful is something the Left Party leader himself is eager to find out.

As he says himself, he is a child of the 1980s peace movement. But he does believe there is one issue that could mobilize a large number of people: compulsory military service.

“This could be a big issue because it directly affects many young people, who might take to the streets to protest against it.”

If the protest spills over from the internet onto the streets, Van Aken’s optimism could be justified.

There is currently an online petition circulating on the internet that was started by a young man: “No compulsory military service without a say for young people!”

As of September 26, more than 70,000 people have already signed the petition.

‘Germany is a thoroughly pacifist country’

The Left Party sees the debate on compulsory military service as a key issue.

“This is a real delicate issue, and it will determine the future of militarism in Germany,” says party leader van Aken. Over the past 40 years, he says, Germany has always managed to keep it at bay. “Germany is a thoroughly pacifist country. But at the moment, the tide is turning,” he fears.

Peace and conflict researcher Jannis Grimm also believes that it is possible that protests against militarization and especially against a return to compulsory military service will grow more popular.

At present, the left-wing scene is highly fragmented. The most active groups are the Left Party and the alliance founded by Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), which formed after splitting from the Left Party.

“This has created a situation where there is no single party that clearly overlaps with the movement on the streets,” says protest researcher Grimm.

Nevertheless, resistance is clearly growing, and it could reach a high point on October 3.

As the date commemorating the reunification of Germany, it is a highly symbolic day. Large demonstrations will be held simultaneously in Berlin and Stuttgart.

Over 400 initiatives, organizations, and parties have joined the call. The slogan: “Never again ready for war! Let’s stand up for peace!”

This article was originally written in German.

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