Clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in several German cities late Saturday, while rioters looted shops in central Frankfurt following daytime rallies over the rising cost of living. Security forces used water cannons to disperse crowds targeting emergency responders with fireworks, bottles, and stones across Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg.
The nationwide demonstrations were organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt, which translates to "Gen Z takes charge," in protest against public spending cuts, compulsory military service, high living costs, and underfunding in schools. While organizers had estimated online that around 36,000 people would attend, municipal authorities in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin reported a combined turnout of roughly 18,000 demonstrators. The unrest in Germany follows similar youth-led mass protests in France, where more than 320,000 people demonstrated on Saturday.
Outlining the goals of the mobilization, Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the demonstrations aimed "to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion." She emphasized that the movement's focus remains on public investment, adding: "What matters most to us is better support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and we are in favour of a fairer distribution of the burden."
Although the marches remained largely peaceful during the day, the situation escalated rapidly after dark. Frankfurt police confirmed in a post on X that "violent riots" were taking place in the city centre, with shop windows smashed and Molotov cocktails thrown at emergency workers. Authorities later reported that windows at a gun shop were also shattered, and officers seized two weapons following the arrest of a suspect.
Roman Poseck, the interior minister of Hesse state—where Frankfurt is the largest city—condemned the violence, calling the outcome of the protest "shameful." Poseck stated that "around 100 clearly identified left-wing extremists" had infiltrated the event in Frankfurt. Referencing recent unrest in neighboring France, Poseck warned against adopting similar actions, stating: "We all have those images from France in our minds – looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks on police officers… France must not be held up as a model in this regard."
Europe's youth is on the march – but does anything actually unite them?
Thousands demonstrate in Paris as protests spread across Europe
