German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has praised the political engagement of young people who demonstrated over the weekend, while condemning violence reported in several cities. In a speech prepared for a meeting with CDU district leaders in Berlin, Merz said the protests showed that the younger generation was politically active and concerned about its future.
Merz said his government wanted to provide young people with good prospects and hand over a well-managed country. He added that reforms were being pursued to avoid placing the burdens associated with an ageing society on the younger generation. The chancellor stressed that most participants had protested peacefully and said the events should be viewed in proportion.
At the same time, Merz took a firm stance against the violence reported on Saturday evening. He said attacks on police officers and emergency personnel, as well as looting, threatened freedom and undermined the legitimate concerns of young demonstrators. Those responsible would face the full force of the law, according to his prepared remarks.
The unrest followed a demonstration in Frankfurt organised by the initiatives “Gen Z regelt” and “Generation Aufbruch”. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that violent left-wing groups and people from what he called a migrant milieu had taken over the peaceful demonstrations. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius distanced himself from that description, questioning how migrant groups should be defined when people may have lived in Germany for generations and hold German citizenship.
Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck raised the possibility of banning further youth protests. He said the right of assembly was important but that peaceful conduct was equally essential, arguing that violent gatherings should not be permitted. Further demonstrations are expected to be considered for 20 November.
Education Minister Karin Prien also condemned the disturbances but said the violence should not obscure the issues raised by young protesters. She said most participants had taken to the streets peacefully and that their concerns were legitimate and highly relevant. Prien said she wanted to engage more deeply with them.
Green Party leader Franziska Brantner said the violence harmed the legitimate demands of those who had protested peacefully. Left Party leader Ines Schwerdtner similarly argued that isolated rioting did not erase concerns about affordability, social cuts or the broad support for peaceful demonstrations.
Climate activist Luisa Neubauer criticised the focus on the violent incidents, saying it risked distracting from the concerns of young people. She encouraged “Gen Z regelt” to sharpen its strategic profile and clarify its demands.
A spokesperson for “Gen Z regelt” said the initiative had no influence over events after the demonstrations ended. The group distanced itself from all forms of violence and announced that protest activities would continue, including possible participation in Europe-wide demonstrations on 20 November. A coalition is also calling for an International Youth Strike Day, although the Federal Student Conference has distanced itself from “Gen Z regelt”, citing unclear organisational structures.
Sources: Süddeutsche Zeitung.