Gen Z protests reach Germany as over 160,000 expected at Halloween rallies

Organisers anticipate over 160,000 young people will participate in demonstrations across Germany this Saturday, as part of a youth-led movement inspired by protests in other European countries. The protests aim to demand improvements in education and lower living costs. This follows a surge of Gen Z-led demonstrations across Europe this year, including Serbia, where student activism helped remove the country's long-time leader, and France, where protests turned violent and riotous.

The German demonstrations, organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt (Gen Z takes charge), will occur in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The group opposes compulsory military service and advocates for increased investment in education, as many young Germans grapple with rising costs. German authorities expect the demonstrations, which occur on Halloween, to be mostly peaceful but have cautioned against potential actions by extremist groups seeking to exploit the movement.

German far-left extremist groups and some foreign extremist-linked factions have reportedly joined efforts to support the movement.

Interior Minister Roman Poseck of Hesse, Germany's financial center Frankfurt, noted the fear of a repeat of France's recent unrest, including looting, house burning, police vehicle destruction, and officer attacks. To counteract concerns, some businesses in Berlin, along the upscale Kurfürstendamm shopping street, have boarded up windows and prepared to close early. The Gen Z movement asserts that the government has ignored their concerns and continues to impose additional burdens.

One participant, an 18-year-old named Steve from Munich, criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating, "The government has offered no response to our concerns other than to continue making cuts and piling further burdens upon us." Steve addressed the chancellor during a Munich rally, emphasizing the movement's commitment to exercising their right to assemble until the government addresses their issues.

However, the legitimacy of the campaign has been questioned due to the diverse mix of political and civil society groups involved. Germany's national school student umbrella organization, BSK, has distanced itself from Gen Z regelt while still supporting the students' legitimate concerns. BSK Secretary-General Amy Kirchhoff stated, "We are distancing ourselves from 'Gen Z regelt,' but not from the students themselves, who have legitimate concerns."

A student at the Technical University of Berlin, Sean Baker, plans to join the Saturday protests to highlight the poor condition of university buildings. Baker described the campus as looking like an abandoned facility, yet expecting students to study there regularly.