Following violent incidents that occurred on the margins of widespread youth demonstrations over the weekend, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a firm crackdown on those responsible. Speaking at a non-public conference of CDU district chairmen, Merz emphasized that violence has no place on German streets and that his government will show zero tolerance toward perpetrators. According to excerpts of his speech obtained by news agencies dpa and Reuters, the Chancellor stated that anyone attacking police forces or looting shops is attacking freedom and mocking society.
Merz assured that offenders would face the full force of the law while explicitly thanking the police for their exemplary response. Despite his hardline stance on violence, the Chancellor acknowledged that the vast majority of young people demonstrated peacefully. He characterized the protests as a positive signal that the younger generation is politically engaged and concerned about its future. Merz highlighted specific deficits in housing and the need to relieve household burdens so that states can invest more in education, noting these issues are at the top of the government's agenda.
Education Minister Karin Prien confirmed she would continue and deepen dialogue with the young generation. The Chancellor reiterated the government's goal to enable a good future for youth and hand over a well-run country, arguing that the burdens of an aging society cannot be placed on the younger generation. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius echoed these sentiments, stating that violent excesses have no place in the country while affirming that the demands of young people are legitimate.
A political debate has emerged regarding the identity of those who committed the violence. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt attributed the riots to "violent left-wing groups and chaots from migrant milieus." Both Kornelius and Education Minister Prien defended Dobrindt's analysis, with Prien stating that while it is wrong to stir up resentment, the government must examine why integration fails in certain groups if rioters come from migrant backgrounds. However, the federal government currently lacks valid nationwide data to substantiate these claims, relying instead on police observations and video footage.
Conversely, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the SPD distanced himself from this interpretation, questioning the clarity of terms like "migrant groups" and warning against oversimplification. Integration Commissioner Natalie Pawlik also criticized attributing violence solely to migrant milieus, arguing that perpetrators should be judged as individuals. The weekend events saw tens of thousands of young people protest peacefully in cities including Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, and Berlin, though the demonstrations were marred by stone-throwing, arson, shop window destruction, and looting in several locations.
Sources: Tagesschau.