What began as a nationwide Gen Z-led push for cheaper living and better schools spilled into unrest in Frankfurt, where hooded rioters looted shops as demonstrations swept Germany’s largest cities.
Tens of thousands joined rallies that organisers cast as part of a broader youth-driven wave of protest seen across Europe this year. In Serbia, student-led activism helped unseat the country’s longtime leader at the ballot box, while in France demonstrations have at times deteriorated into rioting and looting.
In Germany, the protests were coordinated by the campaign group Gen Z Regelt — “Gen Z takes charge” — with events held in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.
The group says it is campaigning against compulsory military service and calling for more investment in education, arguing that many young Germans are being squeezed by rising costs.
In Frankfurt, the country’s financial hub, at least two stores were looted after parts of the protest turned violent, a witness said. Several other shops were damaged as police worked to regain control.
“Violent disturbances are continuing,” Frankfurt police said on X. “In the city centre, windows have been smashed at several shops. Molotov cocktails are also being thrown at the emergency services. We urge all bystanders to avoid the city centre or to leave the area.”
Gen Z Regelt is protesting compulsory military service and wants greater investment in education
Early official estimates yesterday afternoon indicated the crowds were smaller than organisers had forecast. While organisers had initially expected 182,000 participants, police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin each reported up to 18,000 demonstrators — about half the roughly 36,000 listed on the organisers’ website.
Authorities said the rallies, which coincided with Halloween festivities, were mostly peaceful, though they warned that extremist groups might try to leverage the movement for their own purposes.
In Hamburg, some barricades were set ablaze.
“We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion,” Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said in Berlin.
“What matters most to us is better support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and we are in favour of a fairer distribution of the burden.”
Luxury shops board up windows
The federal interior ministry has said that parts of Germany’s far-left, along with some groups tied to foreign extremist movements, have been involved in efforts to mobilise support.
“We all have those images from France in our minds – looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks onpolice officers,” said Roman Poseck, interior minister for the state of Hesse, whose capital is Frankfurt.
“France must not be held up as a model in this regard.”
With fears of possible disorder, some businesses in German cities boarded up windows and prepared to close early ahead of the demonstrations, including shops along Berlin’s luxury Kurfuerstendamm shopping boulevard.
Demonstrations coincided with Halloween festivities
Organisers have framed their campaign around what they describe as mounting strain on younger people in Europe’s largest economy.
“The government has offered no response to our concerns other than to continue making cuts and piling further burdens upon us,” said Steve, an 18-year-old scheduled to speak at a rally in Munich, addressing Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“We will continue to exercise our fundamental right to assemble until you stop ignoring us.”
Germany has struggled to rekindle economic growth, while pressure is building on pensions and public services as baby boomers leave the workforce and the working-age population contracts.
At the same time, questions have surfaced over who is behind Gen Z Regelt and whether it is truly driven by young people, given the wide range of political and civil society organisations involved.
Germany’s national school student umbrella organisation, BSK, has distanced itself from the initiative and plans to stage its own day of protest on 20 November.
Sean Baker, a student at the Technical University of Berlin, said he intended to take part to highlight what he described as the deteriorating condition of campus facilities.
“When you go inside and enter the rooms, it looks like an abandoned building,” he said. “Yet this is where we’re expected to study on a regular basis.”
