The Bundeswehr visits hundreds of school classes in Saxony every year. Last year, there were 374 visits to schools, according to an answer from the federal government to a question from the Left Party in the Bundestag. This was around 50 fewer visits than in 2024.
Compared to 2021, however, there was an increase of around 40 percent. In the current year, 35 visits have already taken place in Saxony and 46 more are planned.
Left criticizes expansion of appearances as a mistake
Last year, the highest number of visits by Bundeswehr representatives to schools in Germany were in states such as Bavaria (1114), North Rhine-Westphalia (862) and Lower Saxony (844). However, Leipzig MP Sören Pellmann (Left Party) criticized the fact that Saxony has been at the top of the list for years in relation to the number of pupils.
Pellmann described the expansion of the Bundeswehr's presence in schools as a dangerous mistake. "Children and young people must not be gradually accustomed to the military and war as the norm." If soldiers were to appear in the classroom, civilian voices, such as those of conscientious objectors and peace initiatives, would be needed on an equal footing.
