Gen Z Protests Spread Across Germany As Demonstrations Turn Violent
Youth-led demonstrations took place across Germany on Halloween, as thousands protested over rising living costs, education funding and concerns about compulsory military service.
The rallies were organised by the campaign group Gen Z regelt, meaning “Gen Z takes charge”, with demonstrations planned in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and Munich. Organisers said the movement aimed to give younger generations a stronger voice in decisions affecting their future. They also called for better investment in schools and universities, action on environmental concerns and a fairer distribution of financial pressures.
The campaign coincided with a wider wave of youth-led protests across Europe, including demonstrations in France. German organisers initially expected more than 160,000 participants nationwide, although police figures from Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich indicated a smaller turnout in those cities. The movement said around 120,000 people had attended demonstrations across Germany, while police and organisers reported differing estimates.
Many participants raised concerns about the cost of living, pressure on public services and the condition of educational facilities. Protesters also opposed the possibility of compulsory military service, amid debate over Germany’s military recruitment plans. Organisers insisted that the demonstrations were intended to be peaceful and urged participants to keep their faces visible, including those wearing Halloween costumes.
Although many demonstrations passed peacefully during the day, tensions escalated in several cities later in the evening. In Frankfurt, police reported smashed shop windows, looting and the use of incendiary devices against emergency services. In Hamburg, barricades were set alight, while police used water cannon and pepper spray in Cologne after fireworks and other objects were reportedly thrown towards officers and emergency workers.
The demonstrations have also raised questions about the campaign’s wider backing and whether it represents a fully youth-led movement. Germany’s national school student umbrella organisation distanced itself from Gen Z regelt, while saying students’ concerns remained legitimate. It announced plans for a separate day of action on 20 November, suggesting that debate over education, living costs and young people’s future will continue.
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