Germany’s “Gen Z regelt” protests draw fewer people than expected amid clashes in several cities - World news

Around 120,000 people reportedly joined demonstrations across Germany, below the more than 180,000 registrations. While the initiative called for peaceful action and outlined demands on education, living costs, conscription, rights and climate policy, unrest followed in several cities, involving groups the organisers said were not connected to the movement.

Demonstrations organised or supported by the “Gen Z regelt” initiative took place in more than 30 German cities. The initiative had reported more than 180,000 registrations, but said around 120,000 people ultimately attended nationwide. Police figures in individual cities were often lower than the organisers’ estimates.

In Berlin, police counted about 5,000 people near the Brandenburg Gate, while the initiative put attendance at 10,000. Speaker Kaja Schwab criticised political decisions affecting young people, saying that life had become increasingly unaffordable and that her generation was being pushed towards military service. Researcher Nina Kolleck said many older people had also supported the protests, but suggested that fears of violence and the decision by the Federal Students’ Conference not to mobilise for the event may have discouraged participation.

Police reported up to 8,000 demonstrators in Frankfurt. The march was stopped several times over face coverings and smoke devices, and parts of the city saw unrest during the night. In Cologne, the demonstration was ended early after what police described as individual disruptions involving face coverings and pyrotechnics. Hamburg also saw the use of pyrotechnics and attacks on police officers. Demonstrations in Munich, Augsburg, Rosenheim, Regensburg, Chemnitz and Dresden were described as predominantly or entirely peaceful.

The initiative says it is calling for peaceful protests to draw attention to the concerns of young people. Its published demands include more funding for schools, addiction services and psychotherapy; an affordable life; a fairer distribution of burdens; opposition to compulsory military service; stronger protection of civil rights; and decisive climate action. It also expressed solidarity with school students protesting in France.

The movement’s precise structure and membership remain unclear. Its website lists Akram Selo, who has described himself as an 18-year-old secondary-school graduate, as the responsible person in the legal notice. According to his account, the organising team consists of five people, three of whom wish to remain anonymous. The initiative primarily mobilises through TikTok, Instagram and Telegram.

Political reactions have focused both on the protesters’ demands and on the violence. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt condemned the riots and praised the police response. Education Minister Karin Prien said the concerns of young people were legitimate and relevant, while also condemning violent clashes. SPD parliamentary manager Dirk Wiese and Green party leader Franziska Brantner said the issues raised by peaceful demonstrators should not be overshadowed by violence. CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder also criticised the unrest.

In Frankfurt, shops were looted and 54 people aged between 13 and 29 were arrested, according to Interior Minister Roman Poseck. More than 100 police officers were reportedly injured. Cologne police said 23 officers were injured and that a detained 56-year-old had Molotov cocktails and bladed weapons in his backpack. Other cities, including Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Bremen, also reported arrests, injuries, property damage, attacks on police or the use of pyrotechnics.

The initiative said it had no influence over events after the official rallies ended. In a statement published on Instagram, it rejected all forms of violence and distanced itself from violent acts by other groups or individuals, stressing that the movement stood for peaceful protest, democratic values and freedom of expression.

“Gen Z regelt” has announced further activities at schools and universities from 2 to 6 November and said it plans to take part in an international youth strike on 20 November. The Federal Students’ Conference is also calling for participation on that date, although it remains unclear whether it will coordinate with the initiative. A further date previously listed for 14 November was removed from the movement’s website, which now says that new protests will follow soon.

Sources: Tagesschau.