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Youth-led demonstrations across Germany turned violent in several cities on Saturday evening, with shops looted in Frankfurt and police using water cannons against groups throwing fireworks, stones and petrol bombs.
Tens of thousands had joined protests organised by “GenZ regelt!”, a movement calling for political leaders to respond to younger people’s concerns about living costs, education, public spending and military policy. The daytime demonstrations were largely peaceful, but clashes broke out after some groups refused to disperse.
Frankfurt experienced some of the most serious unrest, with police reporting attacks on emergency personnel and damage to businesses. “Violent riots” were taking place, police said in a statement. “Windows have been smashed at several shops. Molotov cocktails are also being thrown at emergency personnel.” Officers responded with water cannons and pepper spray.
A gun shop was among the businesses looted. Police said they arrested a suspect and recovered two weapons. A trainer shop and a perfume store were also targeted, according to the Bild newspaper. Authorities closed a large section of Frankfurt’s main shopping street, with police vans and riot officers blocking access while a helicopter circled overhead.
An AFP journalist reported hearing sporadic explosions in the area. At least one police officer in Frankfurt was injured and received medical treatment. Roman Poseck, interior minister of Hesse state, alleged that approximately 100 people identified as left-wing extremists had infiltrated the Frankfurt protest. “It is shameful how this event here in Frankfurt has ended,” he said.
Police also deployed water cannons in Hamburg and Cologne after reporting that demonstrators had thrown fireworks, stones and bottles at emergency workers. In Berlin, officers said they were targeted with eggs and bottles during a separate evening protest that was not organised by GenZ regelt!.
An officer in Bonn sustained minor injuries during a confrontation with a group. Police were also reported to have made numerous arrests, although the report did not provide a nationwide total. Earlier in the day, demonstrations had taken place in a mostly peaceful and festive atmosphere. With the protests coinciding with Halloween, some participants wore costumes, including dinosaur outfits and Batman clothing.
Others carried placards reading “Time for resistance” and “Merz must go”, referring to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Milla, a 20-year-old student who gave only her first name, told AFP in Berlin that she wanted to express solidarity with similar protests elsewhere in Europe.
“I think it’s really important to show solidarity with all the other protests currently happening across Europe, including in France,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for a long time for something to finally really happen, and for people to tackle this with a bit more force. I believe that today here is the first step.”
The movement’s grievances include rising living costs, poorly maintained schools and government spending cuts. Protesters also accuse political leaders of making decisions without adequately considering their consequences for younger generations.
Military policy is another concern. Demonstrators oppose sharply increased defence spending and fear that a new voluntary service model intended to increase troop numbers could lead to the return of conscription. GenZ regelt! said approximately 120,000 people participated nationwide, below the roughly 180,000 it had anticipated.
The demonstrations followed similar youth-led movements in France and Italy. Protests also continued in France on Saturday, October 31, for a third consecutive weekend, with clashes reported in Paris and other locations. Demonstrations there on October 17 had descended into some of the country’s most serious rioting in years.
